Float Replacement

Float Replacement procedure

Complete In late April or early May each spring.

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 URL below) 

Updated Site URL = https://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/Gibsons-British-Columbia/tides/latest
(can only view next week or next four weeks – as above – no further flexibility for dates)

2. Arrange Hauling: Elphinstone –> Gibsons Harbour

  • At LOW Tide (start 30 min before), weekday work hours
  • Call/Txt Lonnie Allen604-740-1012
  • 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.   

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 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 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

  • 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: shackles, locks/keys, tools, come-a-long
  • lead work party – need firm clear leadership to avoid confusion and accidents
AB 7 May 2022