Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement
This annual award recognizes and acknowledges individuals and organizations along BC’s coast and inland waterways who have made noteworthy contributions to BC’s maritime interests in the areas of science, technology, business, applications of maritime skills, nautical heritage and culture, art, and academic endeavours. The expanded scope of the award will also recognize Indigenous and traditional practices, environmental stewardship, and ensure diversity in nominees, recipients, and award administration.
Award Winners
Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement
Kenneth Butler, a master builder and the leading authority on the construction and restoration of heritage vessels and maritime sites in British Columbia, managing and advising on major restoration projects such as SS Moyie, SS Sicamous, Kuskanook, and Nasookin and site developments such as the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre in New Denver. Ken is an Irish/Canadian in his 80s and resides at an acreage called the Kootenay Shire outside of New Denver, BC. He is still living the dream and fulfilling his passions. He is community-minded (retired NDVFD), working with youth, gardens, and consults on heritage development.
Bonnie Gee, a trusted advocate for her membership, Bonnie Gee brings together diverse voices—from industry, government, Indigenous communities, and environmental groups—to forge practical, forward-thinking solutions. Her leadership is marked by transparency, inclusivity, and a relentless drive to balance economic opportunity with ecological responsibility.
Captain Clay Evans is a west coast mariner who spent over 35 years with the Canadian Coast Guard and a historian and author who specializes in the history of lifesaving at sea. He is the Past Chair of the MMBC and is also a Trustee of the International Maritime Rescue Federation based in London, where he is the special advisor on mass rescue operations. Captain Evans continues to serve on the board of the MMBC as it continues to pursue its quest for a new home.
Dr. Francis Juane is a coastal and estuarine ecologist, dedicated to conducting fundamental and innovative research in fisheries ecology that is now globally used to describe ecosystem effects of fishing and management options.
Joe Martin is a Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation carver and teacher, known for the beauty and quality of his chaputs (cedar dugout canoes) and totem poles, and for teaching the next generation Nuu-chahnulth cultural practices and skills.
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue is a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to saving lives on the water. With more than 950 professionally trained volunteers operating 31 rescue stations along the coast of BC and in the Shuswap, they respond to about 450 distress calls each year, bringing hundreds of people home to safety.
Bent Jespersen, shipwright and expert in wooden boat building, repair and restoration at the helm of Jespersen Boat Builders for over twenty years completing more than 40 projects. Bent is a local and international regatta competitor and has been a Classic Boat Festival judge for four decades.
Billy Proctor, author, restorer of Pacific salmon, eulachons, and herring runs, lifelong resident of Echo Bay, Gilford Island; fisher, hand-logger, clam-digger, beachcomber, boat-repairer. Billy has for many decades run a museum on his property featuring his collection of items gathered over a lifetime in the Broughton archipelago.
Captain Alex Rueben, a RCN marine engineer for three decades, Alex has founded numerous marine organizations including the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries, a voice for marine industries of which he is the executive director.
Marianne Scott, a prolific writer on the sea and marine topics, the province. Marianne has been a contributor for decades to Pacific Yachting. Marianne has authored several books including a series on the fascinating people who live and work on the west coast.
Graham Scholes, mokuhanga (traditional Japanese woodblock print) artist best known for his landmark Lighthouse Series of prints of BC lighthouses. Graham is also an author, and art educator.
Scotty Manufacturing Ltd., founded in Victoria in 1952 by Blayney and Almeda Scott, Scotty has become a leading exporter of fishing, outdoor, and fire fighting products, all produced at its Sidney manufacturing facility. Now in the third generation of the Scott family, it contributes to the resource through salmon enhancement, and is an important member of our local economy.
Richard Chappell, Regional Vice President of Operations at Westwood Shipping Lines
Alec Dick, Ahousaht First Nation, Board Chair Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary
Dr./Captain Michael L. Hadley, Professor, Naval Officer, Historian
Robert Lawson, Boatwright, Maritime Historian
Verena Tunnicliffe, Professor Emeritus at University of Victoria School of Earth and Ocean Sciences
Abernethy & Gaudin Boatbuilders Ltd., Robert Abernethy and Jean Gaudin, co-owners and shipwrights
Criteria for Nomination
- Context and extent of candidate’s achievements in the areas of science, technology, business, applications of maritime skills, nautical heritage and culture, art, and/or academic endeavours.
- If applicable, please note the candidate’s connection to Indigenous and traditional practices, environmental stewardship, and Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Members of the Government House Foundation, the Maritime Museum of BC are on the committees, with representatives from the broader community and professional mariners administering the awards.
The beautiful award medallions feature the artwork of Nusi Ian Reid, a member of the Heiltsuk Nation in Bella Bella. A medallion will be awarded to each award recipient.
The S.S. Beaver Awards were retired in 2022. The scope and intention of the awards have expanded, as a collaboration between Her Honour, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Maritime Museum of BC. To recognize this collaboration, a new name and medallion have been introduced.
Nominations usually open in the spring and close in the early summer, and will be announced on our blog and social media.
The awards ceremony usually takes place in the late autumn.
SS Beaver Awards for Maritime Excellence
2011-2022
The Maritime Museum SS Beaver Medal for Maritime Excellence recognized individuals who made outstanding contributions to the marine sector in our Province.
Over the 11-year existence of the MMBC SS Beaver Awards there were 51 recipients ranging from boat builders to naval architects to entrepreneurs to marine historians and artists to Arctic navigators.
Award Winners
SS Beaver Awards for Maritime Excellence
- Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Roger Girouard
- Bill Maximick
- John McKay
- Captain Kevin Obermeyer
- Captain Philip Nelson
- Special award to MV Frances Barkley
- Inspector Kenneth Burton RCMP (Ret’ d)
- Margaret and Martyn Clark
- Ian Maxwell
- Robert Turner
- Special award to Allied Shipbuilding Limited of North Vancouver
- Gregory Marshall
- Gordon Miller
- Captain William Noon
- Captain David (Duke) Snider
- Special award to the Underwater Archaeological Society of BC (UASBC)
- Yvette Myers
- David Rahn
- Kenneth Harford
- Special award to team tug SS Master of Vancouver
- Robin Inglis
- Donald Krusel
- John MacFarlane
- Jane McIvor
- Special award to the Wahl Family of North Coast Boatbuilders, represented by Edward Wahl
- Campbell Black
- Barrie Farrell
- Captain Keith McLaren
- Roland Webb
- Special award to S.A.L.T.S. Sail and Life Training Society
- Captain David Woodman
- Captain Stephen Brown
- John Horton
- Dr. John Harland
- Special award to BC Ferries
- Captain Ronald Burchett
- Sydney Heal
- Helmut Lanziner
- Special award to Pacific Pilotage Authority
- Dr Barry Gough
- Leonard McCann
- Captain Tom McCulloch
- Special award to the Remotely Operated Platform for Ocean Sciences (ROPOS)
- Malcolm Barker
- Dr. William Hick
- Howard White
- Special award to the Thermopylae Club of Victoria
- Robert G. Allan
- Peter Bernard, QC
- Dennis Washington
- Special award to the SS Coho, Victoria- Port Angeles ferry
