Rebirth of museum would help tourism

Re: “The Maritime Museum and the future of history,” commentary, Feb. 2.

It was a joy to read Murray Farmer’s commentary on the proposed location of the Maritime Museum in the Inner Harbour’s Steamship Building.

As a master mariner involved in the whale-watching, tugboat and sportfishing industries for 60 years and recreational boater since I was six weeks old, I really hope this comes to pass. Victoria exists because it has a great harbour for working, playing and learning.

It was first inhabited by Indigenous people. It was the first stop in the early days of marine transportation for immigrants. It has been home to multiple marine industries including shipbuilding, commercial and recreational fishing, kayaking, whale watching, crabbing, prawning, diving, cruise ships and ferries.

It is home to a whole lot of bird and sea life.

I would recommend that this rebirth of the museum on the waterfront include exhibits inside the Steamship Building and on the water.

Explore the tugboat, fishing, whale watching, diving, tourism, cruise-ship, ferry and shipbuilding industries. I would also recommend there be a strong Indigenous element as those groups inhabited this area long before the colonists.

Victoria has lost many attractions in recent years. A maritime museum would be a major tourism attraction. It could also provide a range of educational programs describing how these industries began and their present undertakings.

Fishing, marine resources and coastal logging have been decimated. Let’s explore why and how to reverse those trends. The oceans cover 70 per cent of the planet and are crucial to our survival.

In my industry of whale watching only about five per cent of our customers are local. Most have no idea what’s right off our waterfront. Let’s change that. Tourists rave over our marine life.

Capt. Bill Day

Orca Spirit Adventures Whale Watching Victoria