Float Removal

Float Towing and Hauling procedure (including Mussel Scraping)

Complete In October each year

1. Check Tides 

2. Arrange Hauling: Gibsons Harbour –> Elphinstone

  • At LOW Tide, weekday work hours
  • Txt Lonnie Allen604-740-1012 or Gibsons Ready Mix: Daniel 604-741-7748 or Shane 604-740-7644
  • Example Text:
    • Hi Lonnie. Tony here. Would you be available to haul our floats from the Harbour on Friday Oct 25 about 9:30am? Low tide at 9:37. We will arrange to unlock pillar on Headlands. Need to hold floats during loading so we can scrape mussels off. Thanks.   

3. Arrange Towing: Wharf –>  Gibsons Harbour

  • AT HIGH Tide, weekday work hours preferred but may be available otherwise (in daylight)
  • Once Lonnie is confirmed, Call/Txt Erik Hammond604-741-5493
  • In future, we could look at GWA member with an adequate boat to tow the floats instead for greater flexibility and lower cost?

4. Organize TWO Work Parties

  • Promote Float Removal and Mussel Scraping Party via GWA email list
  • see previous emails for content
  • 1. Arrange Towing
    • provide day and time (an hour before Erik’s float towing time) 
    • need 5 or 6 able-bodied people to:
      • remove swim ladder on floats
      • remove big ladder from dolphin
      • pull ramp up onto wharf
      • detach floats (keep ropes on chains to haul up in spring)
  • 2. Mussel Scraping
    • provide day and time (around same time as Lonnie’s float hauling time)
    • need around 5 people with work gloves, big scrappers or square shovels
    • Adrian Young and Kevin & Ben (C-Tow) have large scrapers that they lend us each year

5. Arrange Access to Harbour

  • Check pillar at end of Headlands Rd to see if it is unlocked
  • If locked, call  Town of Gibsons: Tyler, Engineering Dept 604-741-1089 or Penny, Infrastructure Dept – 604-886-2274 or 2210
  • Backup: Wendy (Parks Dept) – 604-886-8587
  • She will unlock at specified time (one hour before Lonnie arrives) or lend us the key
  • Note: lock chain broken at present (Oct 2021) – Tyler says they will eventually weld it back – but happy to unlock whenever needed

6. Project Lead

  • make arrangements above
  • meet Erik at Wharf
  • meet Lonnie at Harbour
  • get supplies down to dock: shackles, locks/keys, tools, come-a-long
  • lead work party – need firm clear leadership to avoid confusion and accidents
AB 7 Oct 2024