Beachcombers Community 2013-2014 News
Chrome Island Fieldtrip - September 2013
What a spectacular field trip! The weather was perfect as we headed out from Deep Bay on Vancouver Island University’s research boat. Wind in our hair, and spirits high, we headed for the Lighthouse Station on Chrome Island.
The lighthouse keepers graciously gave us a fantastic tour. Students learned about desalination of water; scheduled marine weather reports;
search and rescue; the deforestation of the kelp forests and impact of species loss; and First Nations and first-contact history. On the return trip back to deep bay, students were free to go into the cock pit, and learned basics about navigation and compass directions.
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Checking the weather is part of a lighthouse keeper's responsibility.
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Checking temperature and dew point.
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There were two fortuitous special events while students were on Chrome Island. The first, while Sea Otter students were there, was the landing of the resupply helicopter. This happens once a month. Students were issued ear plugs and were kept a safe distance. Students had the opportunity to talk to the pilot and ask questions and he explained use of various parts of the aircraft. |
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The pilot was genuinely impressed with the thoughtful questions our students posed. In particular, according to the lighthouse keeper, “the pilot was most impressed by the detailed questions that the young man asked about the helicopter and how he listened and understood the answers.” A highlight was seeing the lighthouse keeper's dog deliver the Canada Post mail bag to the helicopter! |
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A lovely lunch in the shade of the tree...there was even a swing!
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Dolphin students head to the Vancouver Island University research boat.
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Dolphin students departing Deep Bay.
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Lots of happy faces!
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Hanging out in the cockpit.
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A perfect arrival!
We are on Chrome Island!
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The lighthouse keepers demonstrate the boat lift.
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Checking temperature and dew point.
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To the left is the box that houses the gauges.
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Looking inside the lighthouse; note the solar panels to the right.
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Students crowd around quietly during the scheduled radio check.
The second event of interest was during the trip with the Dolphin students. Students were present for the scheduled radio meeting. Students crowded around the radio and heard as the coast guarded directed the lighthouse keepers as follows, “In respect of the tragic events in the Arctic of the downed coastguard helicopter, all lighthouse flags are to be lowered to half-mast.” The lighthouse keepers, with the assistance of students, immediately went outside to the flag pole and lowered the flag. It was a touching moment. |
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Captain Cortez?
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One of the highlights of the trip was seeing the many petroglyphs on Chrome Island. One petroglyph is believed to depict Captain Cortez (for whom Cortez Island is named) meeting with a First Nations Chief in 1740. There was also an image that is almost identical to one found in South America. The lighthouse keeper could not say enough about how impressed she was with Beachcombers students. She said, “I have been doing these tours for a very long time and I have never had these kinds of [thoughtful] questions asked. It is really nice to see that students are genuinely interested and are really learning.” That’s our students! Special thanks to our teachers who support and nurture our students to be fine people. A very special thank you goes out to The Deep Bay Marine Field Station, Centre for Shellfish Research, Vancouver Island University, for facilitating this fabulous field trip! And of course to the lighthouse keepers of Chrome Island who generously hosted Beachcombers students and who help keep our waters safe. |
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