At the meeting this month it was decided that it is time to announce the existence of the British Columbia Nautical Residents Association.Over the next month we will be developing a press kit that will be circulated to as broad a section of the BC media as possible. The point is to provide a level of credibility for the organization with the media on topics that are important to our members.
At this time the membership has reached the grand total of 27 master members with approximately 50 more associate members. Membership confirmation will be emailed out to the members with a short questionnaire are that will standardize the information and allow us to build a database of members.
At this month meeting one of the topics of discussion was the placement of 43 mooring boys in the area in front of the Newcastle Island Park. Our directors will research how this affects the liveaboards who frequent this area.
Another topic of discussion was the concept of maintaining a series of columns on the web page. If any one is interested in submitting such a column for publishing, they are asked to submit any ideas to bob_goth@bcnr.org. The topic can be pretty much anything that may be of interest to BC liveaboards.
In an attempt to normalize meeting times, the directors have decided to hold meetings on the third Thursday of each month.
Meanwhile the directors of the BCNR would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year
I am delighted that this organization has come into existence . Many years ago, prior to children , dogs , houses and other accesories my wife and I lived aboard. We were welcomed by marina management as the feeling then was that liveaboards provided service to the marina in the form of better security (watch-dog and reporting) and better safety (for example:salting the slippery areas if we got a touch of frost ).The rest of the people who moored boats would leave phone numbers with the liveaboards in case their boat encountered difficulty. We felt accepted and a part of the community of boating.
We now , that our kids have grown and moved, have contemplated moving back aboard but to our amazement things have changed drastically. Liveaboards are not welcomed at marinas and some state so openly . Others say that they are only allowed so many liveaboards (by regulation)and are not accepting more. Various communities are passing bylaws to make it more difficult to anchor and liveaboard.
This concerns us, as coastal BC is a boating paradise and living aboard has been an intregal part of our coast and our history. There are many colourful and poignant stories of people who lived aboard and have added to our history and provided important services to other boaters. We should be encouraging liveaboards not inhibiting them.
Dear Preben,
Thank you for your story. My husband, Bill, and I have lived aboard for 24 years. We’ve noted that living aboard has gone from being a very acceptable lifestyle to liveaboards being ‘persona non grata’ in many communities. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is one of the more welcoming marina managers along the coast, although they raise the rates rather significantly each year, which creates an affordability issue for some liveaboards.
I hope you won’t give up on your dream of returning to a floating lifestyle, and hope, too, that you’ll consider joining BC Nautical Residents Association. We need members with energy and conviction.
With best regards,
Donna Sassaman
Member, BCNR
Victoria, BC
I’ve just been told that Transport Canada is planning on doing holding tank inspections. When they asked for input , I phoned them and asked .” How do you plan on enforcing this when you can’t legally enter a boat which is a primary residence, without a search warrant. Anything else would a criminal violation of the charter of rights (unreasonable search and seizure).” They asked “Do you have paper on that?” I said ” Find your own paper.” and hung up. A month later I phoned them up and asked the same question. This time they said “Actually , It’s totally unenforceable.”
If they come to your boat, you can’t legally close the hatch in their face , but you are under absolutely no legal obligation to open the hatch in the first place. I’d suggest that, in an anchorage, if you see them coming, close the hatch and refuse to open it. Warn others of what they are up to, on channel 16 VHF. Say nothing to them.
Lovely to land on this site. I am at my wits end. I moved to Vancouver to go to school Sept. 1, 2011. I’ve lived on my boat for nine years now so of course I moved my home from West Bay Marine Village in Victoria, to where I could find temporary “Liveaboard” moorage – Bowen Island. Then to False Creek for the False Creek shuffle.
After October 1st you’re allowed 21 days out of 40. So I did was I was told. Spent 19 at the Fisherman’s Wharf at an atrocious rate for power and per footage.
When I inquired about “Temporary Winter” moorage (I know there are wait lists everywhere) I was told yes, at about one quarter of the price. Then I was asked do I “Liveaboard” to which I respectfully and truthfully replied “Yes.” I was then told “NO.” Only Grandfather claused liveaboards and Fisherman are allowed to live on their boats. I wrote a letter to the Board of Directors again asking for temporary liveaboard moorage for the winter – I was told no because there was no infrastructure for the sewage (there are pump out stations) and because of Municipal Bylaws, BUT the Fisherman ARE allowed to live on their boats.
I since found “Temporary” moorage (not official “Liveaboard” moorage) for the winter only after enduring the WORST storms ever on the hook out in False Creek. I was there November 10th for the crazy storm. I couldn’t get off my boat one day to go to my part-time job because of the storm. Another day I couldn’t get back on my boat until 9pm. Meanwhile, there is available moorage, but NOT because I’m a Liveaboard.
I recently applied to the Spruce Marina to get on their 10-12 year wait list. I pay $150 and then $50 each year. Then if I make it to the top I pay $50,000 to get into the Co-op.
Here I am, a single woman who takes care of her boat. I raised my son on my boat. The dog and cat are now gone. I buy the high priced Insurance so I have the $2M liability – I live on an old wood boat so I expect it’s a higher rate then most ($1,200 per year). My boat is well maintained. I am a good citizen. Yet today, I’m treated like a homeless person.
I have a post office box address. Was told when I applied for a Leisure Access Card to the City of Vancouver Parks and Recreation that I was not eligible because I didn’t have a residential address. They considered me homeless.
My boat is for sale. I’m tired of doing this dance. But of course, it’s not easy selling a 1967 Classic wood sailboat. So here I sit.
The water at the dock I am at temporarily has been off for a week. I have power thankfully. The person who I sublet off told me he’s afraid to ask on my behalf in case they kick me out. I only fill up every three weeks.
After March 31th I guess I’m back out there doing the False Creek Shuffle – even though I see on Craig’s List available moorage… but oh, NOT FOR ME! I’m a liveaboard.
Sad, but true.