Float Replacement procedure
Complete In late April or early May each spring.
Note: if an adequate high tide is available during weekday business hours (so Lonnie’s truck is available), Steps 2 and 3 below can be completed at the same time and Step 5 can be skipped !
1. Check Tides
- for a LOW or MEDIUM TIDE up to 8′ (or even 10′) – to put floats on beach at Harbour
- during weekday work hours for truck
- no volunteer work party required
- followed by a HIGH, minimum of 12′ (or 14′) – to tow floats off beach and enable easy ramp install
- daytime, include evenings and weekends if needed
- volunteer work party required
- Example: generated on April 18, 2022 for the following four weeks (fixed) and found the most ideal times on April 21/22 and May 5/6 (see image and URLs below)
Updated Site URL = https://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/Gibsons-British-Columbia/tides/latest
BUT can only view next week or next four weeks – as above – no further flexibility for dates !
Alternative Site URL = https://www.tides.gc.ca/en/stations/07820/2025-05-01?tz=PDT&unit=ft
Can view arbitrary dates BUT only one week at a time and simpler presentation (no day/night indication) !
2. Arrange Hauling: Elphinstone –> Gibsons Harbour
- At LOW Tide (start 30 min before), weekday work hours
- Call/Txt Lonnie Allen: 604-740-1012
- Example Text sent this morning (waiting to hear back):
- Hi Lonnie. Tony here. Would you be available to haul our floats and ramp back to the Harbour on Monday May 6. About 1pm. Low tide at 1:30. We will arrange to unlock pillar on Headlands. Thanks.
- Hi Lonnie. Tony here. Would you be available to haul our floats and ramp back to the Harbour on Monday May 6. About 1pm. Low tide at 1:30. We will arrange to unlock pillar on Headlands. Thanks.
3. Arrange Towing: Gibsons Harbour –> Wharf
- AT HIGH Tide, weekday work hours preferred but may be available otherwise (in daylight)
- Once Lonnie is confirmed, Call/Txt Erik Hammond: 604-741-5493
- 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 Work Party
- Promote Float Replacement event via GWA email list
- see previous emails for content
- Provide day and time (around same time as Eric’s float pickup time)
- Need 5 or 6 able-bodied people
- Purchasing come-a-long from Eric to help with ramp for spring 2019
5. Arrange Access to Harbour
- Email Tracey Hincks <thincks@gibsons.ca> (or call her at Town office at 604-886-2274) to ensure Headlands Ave will be accessible so we can get to the Harbour beach (e.g. no film crew)
- Check pillar at end of Headlands Rd to see if it is unlocked. Note: lock chain broken at present (Oct 2021) – Tyler says they will eventually weld it back – but happy to unlock whenever needed
- Tyler (good interested coordinator) – 604-741-1089
- Tracee or Penny? (responsible event manager) – town: 604-886-2274
- Check pillar at end of Headlands Rd to see if it is unlocked
- If locked, call Town of Gibsons (Engineering Dept) – 604- 886-2274 or 2210
- Backup: Wendy (Parks Dept) – 604-886-8587
- She will unlock at specified time or lend us the key
6. Project Lead
- make arrangements above
- meet Lonnie at Elphinstone Park
- meet Erik at Harbour
- get supplies down to dock or from chest near boat rack: shackles, locks/keys, tools, come-a-long
- lead work party – need firm clear leadership to avoid confusion and accidents
AB 17 Apr 2025