70 Maritime Memories Project
Your stories, your memories, your coastal communities

A maritime life is not restricted to one career or experience…
Your maritime memory could be a monumental adventure at sea, or a cherished moment on the shore–and anything in between! You submitted your favourite memories to celebrate the Maritime Museum of BC’s 70th birthday on April 18, 2025.
Click on stories below to read remembrances of the saltiest mariners, inspired coastal poets and artists, and true stories from ocean travel of all kinds.

Alex Zimmerman
Last Day in Grenville Channel

Allan Millham
RCN Dive Training

Andrea Klassen
Poem

Angus Matthews
An early morning sail, interrupted!

Anya Zanko
Ship Models Sail Along Douglas Street

Anya Zanko
Breakwater Sail Past

Arletta Murray
Spirits in the Night

Barbie Zipp
Atea

Brianna Snider
Fire on the Dock

Captain David R. Hodgson Ret.
Log Towers’ Lament

Captain David R. Hodgson Ret.
A Tugboat’s Tale

Chris Frappell
Man Overboard 1975

Chris Frappell
Aground in Manila Harbour

Diane Moran
When the sea meets the river

Donna Livingstone
Scottie Bay on Lasqueti Island

Dr. Randall Fairey
The M.V. Machigonne – From Fairmile to Noble Lady

Jamie Webb
Our Collection

Jennifer Maratos
Captain Maratos

Joanne Will
Ferry Tales at Sea

Joanne Will
Additional Ferry Tale Photos

John Nedwidek
Orcas in the Fog

Kathleen Williamson
Grandma Ran Away to Sea

Margaret Mack
Classic Boat Festival Memories

Margaret Mack
Refitting the Tilikum

Marianne Scott
The Prop Goes Walkabout

Marie Bisson
Maritime Memories

Martyn and Margaret Clark
Farley’s Treat

Maureen Baker
Treasure in the Sand

MMBC Archives
Opening Day, 1955

Patrick Lawson
Victoria Pilot Boat

Patrick Lawson
Freefall Lifeboat

Phoebe Levert
Cadboro Bay

Robert Allan
Dorothy and the Columbia III

S.A.L.T.S. Life and Training Society
Spending time on deck together

S.A.L.T.S. Sail and Life Training Society
Teaching knots onboard a tall ship

S.A.L.T.S. Sail and Life Training Society
Final stages of building a tall ship: sea trials

S.A.L.T.S. Sail and Life Training Society
A homecoming: Pacific Grace returns

S.A.L.T.S. Sail and Life Training Society
A day at sea in the summer

Susan Pearson
The Nautical Bug
Videos
Brian Biebrich
Ballad of the SS Beaver
Alexandrea – Library Volunteer
The Birdcage Elevator
Florence Debeugny
Almost gone: remains of cannery villages
Share Your Memory
If you have a memory that you would like to add to this project, submit via the link below. You can also contact azanko@mmbc.bc.ca to submit a memory via email.