This annual award will recognize and acknowledge 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. 

The unique medallion featuring the artwork of Nusi Ian Reid, a member of the Heiltsuk Nation in Bella Bella will be awarded to each recipient.

Steering and selection committees comprised of members of the Government House Foundation, Maritime Museum of BC, and representatives from the broader community and professional mariners will administer the award.

2019 Awards

The winner of the 2019 SS Beaver Award were:

Yvette Myers has had a 20-year career in the Coast Guard, serving ten of those years at sea. After holding multiple management positions, including that of Vancouver Harbour Master, she most recently held the post of Executive Director of the $1.5 billion federal government’s Oceans Protection Plan—the first person to serve in this role.

Publisher David Rahn has spent his life in the marine industry, starting as a commercial fisherman. Using his hands-on experience on salt water, he transformed himself into a writer and photographer for commercial fishing publications. Subsequently, he launched Western Mariner, The Magazine of the Coast with his wife Anthea Cameron in 2003. Western Mariner now has the largest circulation among commercial marine publications in Canada. One of the magazine’s hallmarks has been its coverage of BC’s maritime heritage by publishing often overlooked or forgotten aspects of coastal history.

Kenneth Harford, using his mechanical engineering expertise, developed a particular focus on reducing noise and vibration in towboats, with his research resulting in new noise control regulations in the industry. After founding a consulting firm and holding many engineering positions, he moved to Robert Allan Ltd., the renowned naval architecture firm, eventually serving as its president.

Steam tug SS Master of Vancouver won the special industrial Beaver award in 2019. She is the last fully operational wooden-hulled, steam-powered tugboat in North America. Built in False Creek in 1922, the famous tug is still using her original First World War Royal Navy surplus steam engine. She’s managed by the SS Master Society. During the ceremony, Robert Allan presented a $15,000 cheque to Barry Martens, the Society’s president. The Society is raising funds for a major refit for the ship’s centennial (ssmaster.org/).

2018 Awards

The winner of the 2018 SS Beaver Award were:

Mr. Robin Inglis, former museum and archives curator, internationally recognized as an authority on the maritime history of the northwest coast. Robin Inglis first began working in the Canadian museum field 47 years ago. He established a reputation for willingness to share his vast knowledge with individuals and institutions.  His contributions to scholarship include authoring standard books of reference and articles. Robin Inglis continues his work with the Moachat and Muchalat to obtain World Heritage Status for Yuquot, Nootka Island.

Mr. Donald Krusel, harbour management executive. Don Krusel joined the Port of Prince Rupert in 1987 and became President and Chief Executive Officer in 1992. He successfully led the efforts that transformed an underused resource-export port to a thriving and expanding container terminal and diversifying trade gateway. Under his leadership the Port Authority fostered the involvement of First Nations communities in port-related activities. Since retiring from Prince Rupert Don Krusel has recently been named managing director of a project to build a container terminal for the Port of Quebec.

Mr. John MacFarlane, Curator Emeritus of MMBC, compiler and disseminator of lore about BC maritime heritage. He is the creator and co-director since 2011 of NAUTICAPEDIA, a unique on-line resource with more than 50,000 entries about the mariners and vessels of western Canada and the Arctic. More recently he created the BC Nautical History Facebook page.  John MacFarlane is the author of 14 books including a guide in four volumes about the 5,500 oldest vessels still afloat in BC and many articles.

Ms. Jane McIvor, communications executive, and publisher and editor of BC Shipping News. This is a well-respected magazine founded by Jane McIvor in 2011 that covers the west coast marine industry. It tracks a wide span of issues including business, technological and economic trends, current developments, and regulatory and legal issues. Jane McIvor is passionate about promoting BC’s marine industry and has established a reputation among its members for her knowledge, insight and sense of the industry’s pulse.

The 2018  special award was to the Wahl Family of North Coast Boatbuilders, represented by Mr. Edward Wahl. Three generations of the Wahl family have been involved in building wooden and glass fibre work boats and some recreational vessels on the BC coast boat. Their distinctly styled wooden fishing vessels made a significant contribution to our Province’s fishing and boat building industries. Mr. Edward Wahl is a shipwright and the grandson of the Norwegian immigrant who began building fish boats outside Prince Rupert in 1923.

2017 Awards

The recipients of the 2017 SS Beaver Award were:

Mr. Campbell Black, entrepreneur who established and remains the driving force in Quadrant Marine Institute, an apprenticeship training facility in Sidney to school marine service technicians for careers in BC’s boat and ship repair/building sector.

Mr. Barrie Farrell, innovative fish boat builder. When fiberglass became available in the Sixties he was one of the first boat builders to realize its advantages and developed an innovative hull form which suited what the fishing industry required at the time. Mr. Farrell has built over 300 commercial and pleasure boats at various locations on the south coast.

Captain Keith McLaren, retired deepsea and coastal mariner, formerly Senior Master of Spirit of Vancouver island, author of award-winning books on seafaring.

Mr. Roland Webb, Certified Marine Engineer and senior executive in the ship repair and shipbuilding sector, currently Senior Vice President Robert Allan Ltd., Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Vancouver BC.

A special award will recognize the Sail life and Training Society (SALTS) of Victoria for its youth sail training and motivational programs. SALTS programs reach 1,700 young people aged 13 to 25 each year and have mentored between 50 and 60 thousand youth afloat since 1974.