Welcome to the inaugural launch of Marine Link Tour's
MV Aurora Explorer Newsletter!
Celebrating our upcoming 18th passenger season we are most fortunate in our niche here in coastal British Columbia and happy to share a glimpse into the places and people who make up the ebb and flow of "The Working Coast".
Meet the Crew - Captain Philippe Menetrier
As Marine Link's longest term employee Philippe began working for Marine Link Transportation Ltd., navigating the waters that separate the east coast of Vancouver Island and B.C.'s mainland coast, for 23 years. Born south of Paris, France, Philippe immigrated to Canada, specifically the Comox Valley in 1982.
Philippe joined the crew at Marine Link Transportation Ltd. in 1988. Philippe's extensive experience and knowledge of "Aurora's Coast" is well appreciated by the MV Aurora Explorer's passengers. Visiting the wheelhouse is encouraged and there passengers have the opportunity to gain further insight into the operation and navigation of this working vessel. As one passenger put it when describing Philippe, "…friendly, professional and made us feel welcome & comfortable. He is very generous with his time and knowledge."
Congratulations and thank you Philippe for your years of professional dedication to Marine Link Transportation.
Coastal Partner - Sonora Resort
Located on Sonora Island, nestled within the Discovery Islands in B.C.'s central coast region, home to some of the most beautiful surroundings imaginable, you find Sonora Resort. Incredible luxury in a wilderness setting. This B.C. resort is an absolute jewel amid one of Canada's most alluring pristine environments. Sonora Resort is where uncompromising outdoor adventures meet luxurious accommodations, unparalleled service and five star facilities.
Sonora resort ardently contributes to two charities also enthusiastically supported by Marine Link. Both the Tapestry Foundation and the Gillard Pass Salmon Enhancement Association annually benefit from Sonora Resort's generous participation.
Between 2003 and 2009 Marine Link Transportation Ltd. was fortunate to have been involved with the construction of this amazing, ocean front, exclusive resort. Imagine 312 freight trips on the vessel log, equaling 80,000 metric tons of building materials and equipment on the move from Menzies Bay to Sonora Island, by barge over that period.
Today, Marine Link continues with deliveries of a variety of general freight to the resort and needless to say, operations such as this help form the nature of what we call "The Working Coast".
Friend of the Coast- Billy Proctor
Billy Proctor born in 1934 is a life time area resident, museum curator, fisherman, mechanic, and logger just to mention a few of the many hats Billy wears or has worn over the years in the Echo Bay area. In 2007 the CBC included Billy in the list of "Seven wonders of Canada"
The Billy Proctor Museum houses multitudes of articles Billy has collected beachcombing over years, from glass bottles to handmade wooden fishing lures or how about his first aboriginal artifact find at six years of age, a small jade knife.
Billy is a spellbinding storyteller of the bygone days, describing the pioneers and how they eked out a life in this rugged beautiful area and now an ardent conservationist, seeing firsthand the effects of logging, mining and overfishing, on the area. There are two books "Heart of the Raincoast: A Life Story by Alexandra Morton and Billy Proctor and Full Moon, Flood Tide: Billy Proctor's Raincoast by Billy Proctor and Yvonne Maximchuk, both excellent reads which will endear the reader to both Billy Proctor and the nature of the wilderness that is the Raincoast of the Echo Bay region.
Aurora's Precious Cargo- Jack & Faye Hobson
As 16 time repeat passengers Jack and Faye Hobson are considered integral members of the Marine Link Tours family. That's right, 16 voyages aboard the Aurora Explorer! Operators of their own vessel and active members of the Richmond Yacht club the couple have a long standing admiration of B.C.'s glorious coast. As a retired BC Hydro foreman, Jack enjoys potato farming with family and while aboard the Aurora, can most often be found in the wheelhouse "supervising" the business end of the operation, watching out for the crew, offering advice and making suggestions. Meantime, Faye enjoys the relaxing scenery, sharing recipes, successfully capturing the essence of the experience on camera and working on her latest knitting project for the hospital's auxiliary. While on Vancouver Island visits to family, including grandchildren and great grandchildren and embarking upon yet another voyage aboard the Aurora make up their annual plans. Always welcome and thoroughly enjoyed, Jack and Faye are often introduced to fellow passengers by Guy Adams, as "Aurora's most often repeat passengers", earning them honorary ownership delegation! Thank you Jack and Faye for your devotion, you are treasured members of the Marine Link family!
Sadly prior to publication, on September 27, 2011 succumbing to her long battle with cancer, Faye passed away.
Community Leader- Tapestry Foundation for Health Care
The Tapestry Foundation raises funds for seven hospitals and residences operated by Providence Health Care, and works with donors to meet the ongoing demands for equipment, and quality-of-life programs and services at these facilities.
Through education and geriatric research, the Foundation also builds awareness of seniors' health care need. The annual Geriatrics Services Conference Dialogue on Aging links world renowned experts and geriatricians to health professionals throughout the Province. The Dialogue on Aging Public Presentation Series, supported since 1999 by London Drugs, offers a range of free education seminars to BC audiences. Through funding for innovative geriatric research projects, the Foundation also ensures ongoing improvements in seniors care – now and in the future.
Marine Link is proud to support a community leader with a genuine commitment to seniors care. In 2008, we supported the launch of the Foundation's first annual Scotiabank Feast of Fortune event – a signature gala that has consistently exceeded its fundraising goals. Close to $1 million in event proceeds have supported equipment needs at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, and helped to establish new services such as BC's first Rapid Access Breast Clinic and the Heart and Elder Care Ambulatory Clinics. You can help support campaign efforts through an online donation at www.tapestryfoundation.ca or by calling 604.877.8335.
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