“Falling” around South Van Isle - Part 5

Jomo departed Ladysmith Marina around noon for the ten mile passage to Thetis Island.  Before leaving Ladysmith, we planned to stop at Oyster Bay marina to empty our waste tank.  This was the only marina in the area that indicated it had such facilities.  The reputation and policies regarding waste in Canada isn’t new to us but we have been in the habit of pumping our waste properly since Erika and I started living on sailboats back in 1989.  The pump’s location wasn’t clear so I performed a couple drive-bys, eventually spotting the equipment at the very end of a linear dock, packed full of mostly derelict boats.  Due to an unfavorable cross wind, I added a little spice to the throttle and backed Jomo’s starboard quarter along the 15 feet of dock space we had available to us.  It was a little stressful, especially only having a small portion of Jomo’s 43ft secured and the rest hanging out beyond the dock.  A couple locals looked at us like we were crazy, “making such an effort to pump our tank out.”  A few friendly exchanges mirrored their thoughts.  As most of you know, waste facilities in the States are…abundant and free of charge.  Erika and I walked up to the Oyster Bay marina office to pay for tokens required to operate the machine, which came to about seven US dollars.  As a footnote,  we were warned about waiting for a red light to turn green, indicating that it was ready for use, otherwise it would mean the pump is broken, and by the way, no refunds. The man mentioned he “won’t be in the office for the rest of the day anyway.”  We made the walk back to the boat, wondering what we got ourselves into, and inserted a token in the dodgy looking pump and hoped for the best.  The pump displayed the green light but nothing happened.  We tried another token, again, following the indifferent office attendant’s instructions, but again, nothing.  An hour later, Erika emptied the effluent overboard as we blasted across Stuart Channel.

The two-hour sail across to Thetis was exhilarating.  A 15-knot easterly was blowing across the channel making for a fast beat over to Scott Island, down past Hudson Island and around Alarm Rock.  The easterly weakened as we approached the entrance to Telegraph Harbor, the sails were stowed, and the engine was started.  Earlier, Erika contacted both marinas in Telegraph, aptly named Thetis Marina and Telegraph Marina, for general information, but also regarding each marina’s depth.  Jomo’s nearly nine-foot draft can be limiting when mooring, but so can six-foot drafts.    Thetis’ harbor attendant called us back and suggested the Telegraph may have a foot or two advantage over them, nine vs eleven at MLLW.  Interesting, because Telegraph is located at the end of the narrow inlet.  Both marinas offer eateries, Thetis, with it’s small pub and Telegraph, a country store/cafe.  Telegraph marina has some fun stories from past PAYC club summer cruises.  It was an easy choice.  We tied Jomo to the outer most (deepest) dock and walked up to country store/cafe/marina office to check in.  Again, it’s October, we were the sole visitors at this, traditionally, super busy summer stop.  The large park like setting overlooking the marina, with it’s volleyball nets, shuffleboard court and Adirondack chairs splayed about, didn’t leave one’s imagination how active and summery this place would be in, say, June or July.  We had it all to ourselves.  Erika and I enjoyed some bistro delights and soaked in the island life that strolled in and out of the remote community hub.  A chatty local and fellow boat owner invited us to an island get-together later that afternoon, a community soup and social.  Island life in the off season can be lonely, especially for new residents, hence the weekly socials.  Instead, we chose a nice walk around the island, watched the sunset and snuggled back in our floating lair.