COWICHAN BAY MARITIME CENTRE VOLUNTEERS
The Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre relies on volunteers. They are an integral part of our team. Volunteers greet visitors, take part in special events, help restore boats, are involved in Centre maintenance and work “behind the scenes” in our office.
Why volunteer?
Volunteers use their current skills and often learn new ones. But they always make a difference in the life of the visitors to the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers fulfill many important responsibilities.
- They often act as tour guides for guests
- They are involved in special projects and events
- They answer telephones, file and assist in office duties
We strive to make assignments balance the Centre's needs with the volunteers's interests. We often need to be flexible as volunteers are sometimes required to help during the day, evening and weekends.
Who can volunteer?
Members who volunteer share a common desire to help others, help the Maritime Centre and the community. Student volunteers, wooden boat enthusiasts, retirees, homemakers, husband and wife teams are all welcome!
Tony Owen, "magic fingers" volunteer
Tony and his wife Alma live on their converted fish boat, 
Lasqueti Fisher, in Cowichan Bay. Tony could not be called an "old salt," but he loves the sea and he loves wooden boats. Tony has gained the reputation as the man with magic fingers. He has engineered a renaissance in The British Seagull by expertly and diligently turning non-running motors into reliable outboards. If you hear a Seagull in Cowichan Bay be assured Tony's magic finger's have worked on it.
Of course Tony doesn't confine his expertise only to Seagulls. He has worked his magic on a variety of small outboards, either as repairs or renovations. The donations he's earned for the Centre result from his work on outboards.
Tony says: "I always had a fascination for boats and the water but that had to wait till retirement from 30 odd years behind a camera shooting commercial photography. Now I find the time to play boats with my dear wife Alma. Any good weather will find us slipped from the moorings and in the Gulf Islands.
Once I became a member of CBMC I wanted to find a volunteer niche. A pile of old non-running outboard motors in the basement of the maritime center could not be ignored. One of my diversions in life had been to help my brother in his auto garage prepare race car engines. Applying my knowledge of race engines to fixing up old 7hp outboards was a good fit and has made money for the Maritime Center."
How to volunteer?
To get started as a volunteer, you must:
- Fill out a volunteer application and sign up for an orientation (or you can fill out an application at the orientation). The application is a downloadable pdf, suitable for printing.
- Attend a general volunteer orientation, held the 3rd Saturday of each month from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
All new volunteers must attend a general volunteer orientation. At that orientation, you will be introduced to CBMC policies, tour the facility, have questions answered about volunteer opportunities, and turn in your application for specific volunteer jobs.
You will be trained in hospitality and history of the maritime centre and the Cowichan Bay area.
Other Volunteers at work.
Arie van Dyk working on the pavillion display and Dave Perry working on restoring the Peterborough boat.
