Business, economic development - the unofficial Chamber of Commerce

Late Saturday night I contact my source to make sure weather conditions will be favourable for our trip to a small bit of heaven just outside Pedder Bay. The news is not good: strong winds, a small craft warning and a strong tidal change make for a likely cancellation. I have a group of Aboriginal Youth from Northwestern ready to go diving at this Marine Ecological Reserve known as Race Rocks. There goes my reputation!

Over the years, I have travelled to this special place to many times to count. The light keepers over the years used to joke about my record of “good luck”. My game plan has always been to pack up and go and see what fortune bestowed me.

But this time, it doesn’t look good.

Sunday morning 7:00 am. I call my source again and he says the water is flat in the Strait and we should give it a shot after all. I jump in my car and head to where the youth are gathering. They are ready and we convoy out to Pearson College in Pedder Bay. Garry Fletcher, a Biology Instructor at Pearson College, is our guide for the day. Just as we arrive, the sun breaks out. Our luck is changing.

We load up the dive gear and head out of the Bay. There is a small wind blowing from the Northeast but the tide is flooding which keeps the waves low. A great day is unfolding!

As we approach Race Rocks, we see about 20 gulls harassing a mammoth sea lion as it tries to eat a very large salmon. The youth who accompany me have never seen anything like this before. Their eyes bug out, “Wow, is he huge!”

We are now nearing the dock, where a guest is sitting– another hefty male sea lion. To the left of the dock is a large contingent of sea lions, lounging on the shores of Great Race, the island where the lighthouse is situated. Mike Slater the Marine Protected Area Guardian comes down to assist our docking and the big sea lion slides into the water. The ones to our left start making lots of noise, expressing their disapproval at our approach, but none of them leave. A large male is rolling around in the water next to a group of females. I think they’re with him.

Ron Kirstein is the owner of a Canadian Travel & Tourism Web
site (since 1995). Ron has traveled the length and breadth
of Vancouver Island BC Canada in search of
adventures; see http://tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/travelmagazine

Alliaura Marine, a Leader in the luxury cruising catamaran market, unveiled the queen of the fleet to myself and other brokers from The Catamaran Group, at their facility in Les Sables D’Olonne, France on a recent trip over there.
The new Privilege 745 is a stunning masterpiece of technology and high quality craftsmanship seldom seen in the catamaran world. This new flagship from Alliaura is available in the following layout options:

Version 1 - 5 cabins
Version 2 - 4 cabins

Version 3 - 4 cabins

Marc Lombard demonstrates his abilities with volume once again, expanding exterior space with a bridge deck from where all the owner’s sailing will take place - leaving a vast and uncluttered cockpit below for entertaining.

The 4 cabin owners version features a large forward centerline master cabin (which includes separate sinks, a Jacuzzi bath, shower and head) and accommodation for 3 crew. The galley is an area that any world class chef would be happy to have.

No cost has been spared for the equipment and features of the boat, from the hydraulic crane, extending boarding gangway, power winches and foresail furling systems, to touch screen navigation and vessel monitoring systems, this boat has it all. Even a ‘back down’ camera plays to either of the navigation displays on bridge or at navigation center.
The flybridge is a central command and control center for many of the sail handling systems, as well as engines and bow thrusters. A large entertaining area with seating, table and sunbathing area complements the practicality of the design and allows guests to have a stunning view of the surrounding ocean. Down below the circular stainless steel staircase, the huge cockpit allows guests to dine in pure comfort.
Wide decks and room aplenty will allow guests to feel that they are all alone while choosing an area of relaxation.

This is an exciting progression for catamarans as a whole and the oasis of talent at the Alliaura yard is expected to move the bar once more. It is anticipated that, like the Privilege 585, the 745 will be hugely popular.

For additional details, please visit http://www.catamarans.com/