News: Six Recognized for Outstanding Maritime Achievement in BC

Medallion featuring the artwork of Nusi Ian Reid, Heiltsuk Nation. Photo courtesy of the Maritime Museum of BC.

Nov 21, 2024

A collaboration between the Government House Foundation and the Maritime Museum of BC, the recipients for the 2nd annual Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement, were announced last week.

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 Recipients

• 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.
  
• Dr. 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.

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

A ceremony to award recipients with their medallions will take place at Government House on November 26, 2024.