March 31, 2023
The beavers in question belong to the local 21 Capilano Beaver Scouts – a group, or more accurately, a ‘colony’ of sixteen children aged 5-7 as part of Scouts Canada.
The group enjoyed a guided tour of both drydocks and the machine shop and kept their eyes and ears open as they walked aboard the BC Ferries Northern Expedition vessel. Captain John Fraser led the group through the engine room and onto the bridge, where the kids tried on a captain’s hat and tried their luck at using the steering wheel.
The visit ended with Timbits and some Seaspan colouring sheets to take home, as well as newfound knowledge about what happens at the drydock, including the kinds of skills needed to carry out repair work on the vessels that connect our communities, like BC Ferries.
Russell Davison, VP, Coast Guard Programs enjoyed coming along for the tour with his son, noting that “STEM outreach and engagement are essential for building a pipeline of diverse and skilled talent in shipbuilding and ship repair. By inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists, we can hopefully ensure that the industry continues to thrive and innovate for years to come.”