Okeover Harbour undergoes upgrading

Okeover Harbour is undergoing a significant wharf reconstruction project to replace the old timber wharf, which had reached the end of its design life. The old wharf has been removed.

According to a written submission from Leri Davies, strategic media relations advisor with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, this construction project includes a new steel trestle, ramp and a floating concrete wharf, giving vessels access to load and offload at all tide levels. It also provides an increased area for offloading, making the space more efficient.

“The long-term project also includes improving shore protection and an upgraded floating breakwater to shelter the harbour from northwest waves,” stated Davies. “Upon completion in spring 2025, the upgraded facility will support the ongoing and evolving needs of commercial fish harvesters and mariners, and improve the province’s maritime infrastructure.”

Small craft harbours is a nationwide program run by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The program operates and maintains a national system of harbours to provide commercial fish harvesters and other harbour users with safe and accessible facilities.

According to Davies, in British Columbia, there are 101 small craft harbour sites along the province’s coast. Okeover Inlet’s small craft harbour is a core fishing harbour critical to the commercial fishing industry, she added.

“While day-to-day operations are the responsibility of harbour authorities, DFO’s primary responsibility is to ensure core fishing harbours like Okeover are kept open and in good repair, which includes funding and conducting any significant critical infrastructure improvements,” stated Davies.

Lynn Paris, accountant administrator with Okeover Harbour Authority, said the project is replacing a rotten, old wharf, which was in bad condition, with a brand-new facility with a drive-on dock, which is a big deal.

“It’s a huge expense and small craft harbours are in charge,” said Paris. “They demolished the old infrastructure and when it gets done, it’s going to be a beautiful metal structure. Boats will be able to dock there and trucks can go down to the dock. It will help the oyster farmers a great deal.”

Krystle Goddard, wharfinger and a director with Okeover Harbour Authority, said the Okeover wharf is a busy place during the summer months. She said she works at the facility eight hours a day or more and it’s nonstop during the busy season. During the winter months, it’s slower, she added.

The wharf has a mix of moorage for qathet residents and there is also a dock for transients. She said the current wharf structure has expanded since construction of the replacement. She said a structure that was used as a breakwater for inside the old wharf head has been decked, creating more space for more people to tie up.

Paris said the dock is making a huge difference for boat traffic, as opposed to the three small docks that were previously part of the harbour facility. She said the construction project started in December.

“It started slow, but when they started demolishing, it was big,” added Paris.

Goddard said a local contractor, Bob Marquis, demolished the old wharf head. Paris said a bunch of new rock was brought in to expand the shoreline. The new construction is being done by a company called Pacific Industrial and Marine, which is from Duncan.

Goddard said construction is expected to continue until the end of March, when it is hoped that the project can be finished. Pile driving was underway when the Peak visited the facility on January 28.

Goddard said that despite the disruption due to construction, operation of the harbour hasn’t been affected significantly.

“Everybody has been pretty good, between the crew here and all the patrons of the harbour,” said Goddard. “We’ve given everyone enough warning. Sometimes you have to wait at the hill. We want people in Powell River and Lund to know that if they don’t need to use the harbour, don’t come down at this time. There’s so much construction, so it’s best to stay away and let the workers do their jobs.”

Paris said when completed, there is going to be a huge change at the harbour. She said the drive-on loading dock is 60 by 80 feet in size and is usable on several of its sides.

The incorporated harbour authority has been in existence for about 25 years and has a board of seven people. As part of the improvements at the harbour, a new office has been built, funded from a $60,000 grant from Powell River Community Forest.

“It has been great,” said Paris. “The office is nice.”

Goddard added that it is bigger than the old office and a lot warmer.

As well as Goddard, there is an assistant wharfinger, Karen Trace, who works a couple of days a week. During the summertime, young workers have been hired to help out when it is busy at the harbour. The community is also involved in helping.

“We have good people and when things need to get done, people pitch in and help if we need it,” said Goddard.

Paris said there have been several work parties over the years when a big project needs to be completed. She said up to a couple of dozen people have come to help when a significant effort is required. She added that there is a real sense of community at the harbour.

“It’s an interesting time,” said Paris. “This project affects a fair number of people, including people who don’t even live here. They come here in the summer and it will affect them in a good way, big time, with the expansion.”

Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.