Port Bickerton - the Canadian Coast Guard Station

I have to say that the Eastern Shore is not our most desired sail grounds of our province.  I have to say in its defence however, that the time of year that we were sailing was also not the most desired time to be out on the water in a small vessel trying to course over a large distance.  I also have to say that the effects of unstable fall weather conditions on the area did have an impact on our opinion.  And obviously on other mariner’s opinions as well because we saw very few vessels sailing anywhere as we headed the 210 nautical miles along its shores toward our final destination in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. We like the solitude of the sailing, we like the adventure and we like spending time together.  But I guess it is because we are human beings that we find it interesting and enjoyable or even more so than that, comforting, to see (at least occasionally) other human beings somewhere out there cruising the waters.

But we were on the Eastern Shore and we were determined to make the best of it.  The only people we saw at Port Bickerton Wharf were the fellows at the Port Bickerton Canadian Coast Guard Station who were very accommodating to us.  Our boat had been on the wharf there, for 11 days tucked safely in behind their large well equipped vessel.  They kept an eye on her for us, made sure they had all our access information should they need it, gave us theirs and made sure we knew we could call them for any information at any time as they are available 24/7.  They related to us that their station had become increasingly less busy since the introduction of all the technological sailing aids available to boaters and since the loss of the large fishing industry.   Apparently, fewer and fewer vessels visit their port but they  adjusted its operations accordingly and we are glad to have their services available to us.  We take advantage of the opportunity to call the Coast Guard on the VHF before we depart each day to file a sail plan with them.  The captain makes sure that we cover as many safety opportunities as we possibly can and it is reassuring to know that our plan has been recorded.  The service is free and the CCG is accessible on VHF from most anywhere that one may be located. CCG staff record information such as the name of the vessel, the departure and arrival coordinates, time, who is on board, how many lifejackets are available, ETA (expected time of arrival), registration info, color, vessel type, how much water the boat draws,  the radio‘s  MMSI  identification number if one has been assigned and/or any pertinent information about the boat that may help to identify it quickly should they be required to respond to an emergency call.  It takes about 10 minutes to file – another no brainer activity – why wouldn’t one take 10 minutes from their day to further secure their safety?  If there are particulars that they need to inform you of they will ask for a return call at a certain time to update you with their most recent information, for instance marine traffic movement around about the mouth of the busy Halifax harbour.  Once the destination is reached, the CCG is radioed to close the sail plan which takes about a minute and the process is completed for that particular sail plan.  This process is just one of many that we engage as a tool to better assist us while we are away from shore.  It helps increase our confidence as we leave a port or harbour, a moorage or anchorage, a marina or a government wharf. 

We departed Port Bickerton on September 24^th Day 51 for the next leg of our journey.