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Support Pat Bay boat launch

We should throw our support behind Brian Dunic and the Saanich Peninsula Marine Access Group.

After reading Steven Heywood’s article on the proposed boat ramp at Pat Bay I found it to be ironic as it starts out “When the weather is good …” as the weather is one of the most compelling reasons to have another public access facility to our local waters.

As a life-long resident, I  know how fast the weather conditions can change out there — putting lives at risk no matter how well you think you are prepared. Unfortunately, we have a lot of careless boating operators sharing our waters as well.

The Tulista Park boat ramp is a great facility but as stated does not always have the capacity to handle the diverse boating traffic. Anglers seem to be the dominant users, braving the prevailing southeast winds, knowing all the while it’s probably like a pond [on the Saanich Inlet] but getting there and back would put them more at risk .

A lot of recreational boaters just want to cruise the Gulf Islands and/or have Pat Bay on that more protected side of the peninsula as  a preferred destination.

We should throw our support behind Brian Dunic and the Saanich Peninsula Marine Access Group. Providing another safe harbour in a storm option will not only address the over capacity issue, it will potentially save lives.

Douglas E. Lewis, Saanichton