[Paddlewise] Safety & Leadership: An incident in the Charlottes

Here's an incident that we observed while being transported from
Rose Harbour to Moresby Camp in Gwaii Haanas in july;

We had finished an incredible two week trip of Gwaii Haanas
and were spending a couple of days of R&R at Rose Harbour
with Susan, Gotz and Reuben. Rose Harbour is a former whaling
station located on the north end of Kunghit Island off of Houston
Stewart Channel.The property was purchased by a group of
people in the 70's and is the only privately held land in the park
( the politics surrounding Rose Harbour and Parks Canada
is another story in itself!). We had arranged with Moresby
Explorers to transport us back to moresby camp and our
truck via zodiac. What had taken us twelve days to paddle
would take all of 4 hours in the zodiac!

Chris motored into rose harbour about midday and we
quickly loaded boats and gear, said our good byes and
were off. Chris informed us that due to the weather
( S.E. 20 knts.) we'd be sticking to the inside route.
We had a laugh see the trip in reverse pointing out
areas we had been and camping spots. As we headed
north up Juan Perez Sound (notorious when its blowing)
passing the Bischof Island group, Chris suddenly throttled
down and swung towards the islands. Turns out he had
received a distress call from a couple waving frantically
from a small beach. Here's what happened;

This couple is part of a group of six that have been split
up with this couple parked on this beach, another couple
just around the corner safely holed up in a quiet bay and
the third couple 2 to 3 miles away on Hotsprings Island.
Thing is, no one seems to know where the others are!
Chris gets the zodiac as close to the beach as possible
and yells to the couple to launch and follow us inside
to safety and hopefully hook up with their friends.
No way are they getting in that boat! Its easy to see the
fear and panic gripping them. Chris tells them to sit tight
( as if their going anywhere ) as we head in to find their
friends. We find them snug and safe in a quiet cove with
a fire going. After much coaxing and discussion, Chris
convinces this guy to follow us out so he can hook up
with this couple and head back inside. It took a lot of
talking to get this guy in his boat. Although the weather
had calmed right down, everyone was "scared shitless"
and wasn't prepared to trust Chris's judgment. Finally,
the two groups hooked up and we stood off until they
were safely inside. While all this was going on, Chris
was really concerned about his fuel situation. Soon
after we got another call letting us know that the third
couple was safe and sound on Hotsprings Island.

How did this group get split up? Did they have a plan?
Who was leading? We never got a chance to ask these
questions but it once again highlights the importance of
safety, communication and leadership while paddling,
be it a day paddle or a trip. Hats off to Chris for his
professionalism and his calming voice and clear thinking.
Well done!

                         Bill Pierson
                         Bowen Island BC




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