We spend ALOT of time trying to keep the Coumbia III looking her best. This often includes maintenance in places the average guest will never need to know about but which will help to keep her hale and hearty for the next fifty years. Nevertheless, our spring is always busy working on the "cosmetic" aspects of the boat and this year we have been dodging rain and storms. Here are a few pictures of the annual refit:

Sanding:









We work pretty hard most days, but when someone noticed a pod of transient orcas passing by our dock the sanding blocks, electric sanders and dust masks were dropped like hot potatoes and off the crew went for a few ID shots for Graham and Jared.











After a nerve-wracking delay due to wet weather and the rescheduling of our Transport Canada safety inspection, the sun finally shone and the painting began in earnest!

Here's a fun one. I walked into our local ship's chandler and the owner called me to his office. "Hey Ross, we were hoping to use this picture on the cover of our sales catalog. Do you mind?"

I'd never seen the photo before but the Columbia III obviously catches other peoples eyes too!

Something new for us this year and yes, we love new things! The World Wildlife Fund called us up and requested we join their WWF Earth Flotilla. So we spent the week with 2 other vessels, 30 highschool students and several group leaders and coordinators touring the Gulf Island on a rigourous schedule. The students were chosen after submitting a written synopsis of their interest and commitment to making a positive change in the health of the earth herself. The students were a wonderful and heartening collection of energy, bright ideas and commitment. They were able, amougst many other things, to visit a sustainable forestry operation, an organic farm, meet with marine biologists and even a private talk with painter, Robert Bateman. Each night we anchored or moored in a different bay and the students gathered to reflect on the days events.



The schedule was intense and brisk but the whole project went flawlessly due in large part to coordinator, Jeff Gibbs and Carolyn Dawe's organization.



There is potential for another Earth Flotilla next year and we are already looking forward to the event and meeting more inspiring students.