Maritime Heritage Centre
From an undistinguished piece of land to a showplace for Campbell River, the Maritime Heritage Centre has had a remarkable evolution.The Maritime Heritage Centre project began in 1998 when the District of Campbell River (now the City of Campbell River) solicited ideas for potential uses for the land near the Discovery Pier. The land had been the site of the old sewage treatment plant, since relocated to an area north of town.
Master Shipwright Buford Haines
Buford Haines was described as a teacher, mentor and friend to everyone who knew him. His career as a fisherman and boat builder gave him great joy and satisfaction. Haines was born in Spallumcheen (near Armstrong, BC) on May 22, 1924.
He lived in Bella Coola and Naramata before settling in Heriot Bay in 1936. Buford was instrumental in the reconstruction of the BCP45.
The restoration of the BCP45, the seiner that graced the back of the Canadian five dollar bill from 1972 to 1986, was a test of Haines’ skills as a shipwright and foreman. The now gleaming vessel, housed at the Maritime Heritage Centre, has been officially declared a national historic site.
"Pretty well everything, right from the keel up is all new," Haines once said. "All the planks, all the decks, all the beams, 90 percent of the ribs. I would say there’s close to 15,000 board feet in it.
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BCP45 a National Historic Site
the Government of Canada designated the fishing boat BCP45 as a National Historic Site. Official presentation of the plaque finally took place on May 22, 2010.
The BCP45 is the only known example of a wooden seiner (in its original configuration) still in existence, a class of vessel intimately associated with the commercial west coast fishery during the 20th century that has all but disappeared from use. Canadians may remember seeing an image of the BCP45 on the Canada five dollar bill from 1972 to 1986.
New Book
The Maritime Heritage Society is proud to announce that the building of this amazing facility has been documented and is now in print. Come to the centre to check out this wonderful book!
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Allen (Ollie) Chickite
Working on the BCP45 off and on for over 40 years and being the final skipper of the vessel, he was the man who was probably most instrumental in bringing the BCP45 back to Campbell River.
Chickite was 14 when he first signed on as a cook aboard the BCP45, working 11 years under skipper and cousin Mel Assu.
Memorial Plaque Program
Your $250 donation is tax-deductible and 100% of the proceeds go to maintaining this facility and National Historic Site.
Locate vessels on Discovery Passage or anywhere on the globe, through SiiTech Web VTS vessel traffic monitoring system
Contact Us
Campbell River, BC
250 . 286 . 3161 ( t )
250 . 286 . 3162 ( f )
info@maritimeheritagecentre.ca ( e )
Business Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Exhibit Hours: Monday - Friday noon - 3pm