Building better marine parks in BC

by · May 2, 2022

Vessels stern-tie to shore pins near the entrance to Pirates Cove in the Gulf Islands. (Photo by Wilf Ratzburg)
There’s nothing quite like entering the Desolation Sound anchorage of Prideaux Haven late in the afternoon to find it tightly crowded with boats that arrived before you.

Cruising slowly past mariners already enjoying sundowners, your eagle-eyed first mate spots a stern-tie pin that’s still available. Providing entertainment for your beverage-sipping audience, you manage to drop the hook, wiggle in to your tight space in reverse and then row ashore with your stern line.

The locations of the stern-tie pins installed in Desolation Sound’s Prideaux Haven, one of many anchorages benefitting from BC Marine Parks Forever Society funding. (Illustration by Salish Sea Pilot)

Unwinding the line as you row, you once again wonder about these metallic miracles, the pins and lengths of chain that offer access to secure moorage even at the lowest tide. Who installed them? And when? They are terrific additions to popular anchorages, allowing many more boats to moor overnight rather than all swinging conventionally on anchor.

Stern-tie pins also greatly reduce the impact of anchoring with chain dragging on sensitive bottom habitat such as eelgrass beds, while limiting damage to shoreline trees that can occur as a result of tying to branches or tree trunks.

BC Marine Parks Forever Society installed the first shore-tie pins in Melanie Cove on July 10, 2015. To date 186 shore tie pins, chains and ID plates have been installed, with more locations being considered. 

Stern-tie pins are easier to locate since yellow ID plates and lengths of chain were used to mark their locations.

The society, founded in 1990, is a volunteer-driven organization raising funds for BC Parks to implement enhancements to existing parks and to acquire land for new marine parks. So far, with funding from members of the Council of BC Yacht Clubs, generous individual donations and partnerships with other associations and special bequests, they have put more than $2 million toward this goal.

Salish Sea Pilot is proud to announce, in partnership with the society and Pacific Yachting magazine, a small role in encouraging boaters to support the expansion of marine parks in BC. The society is offering our guides as gifts to encourage donations to the cause.

  1. Anyone who donates $100 to the society receives a Salish Sea Pilot guide of their choice.
  2. Mariners who give $250 can choose to receive a complete seven-guide set of Salish Sea Pilot 2022 cruising guides or a one-year subscription to Pacific Yachting magazine.
  3. Give $500 and receive both a complete Salish Sea Pilot set as well as a  Pacific Yachting subscription.

But act quickly, as this promotion ends on May 31st!

Boaters take advantage of stern-tie pins installed in Desolation Sound’s Melanie Cove with BCMPFS funding.

So next time you snag a stern tie pin before snuggling into your cozy berth, you can sleep well, knowing you helped maintain our wonderful marine parks and anchorages while guaranteeing their preservation for future generations.

If you know someone who might like to support the good works of BC Marine Parks Forever Society, please pass this on.

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