The coast guard’s decision to pull keepers from two light stations along the #WestCoastTrail caught local #FirstNations, municipalities, boaters and hikers by surprise — especially because an earlier Senate report that recommended halting previous #destaffing plans stressed consultation should take place before any changes are made.
“We should really be making sure this is the right decision and I’m not so certain that’s the case,” said Chief Sayaač̓atḥ (John Jack) of Huu-ay-aht First Nation near Tofino, one of three nations with trail guardians who have worked with #lighthouse keepers on “multiple occasions” to help those in distress.
The #Canadian #CoastGuard, part of Fisheries and #Oceans #Canada, recently decided to pull #lightkeepers from #CarmanahPoint and #PachenaPoint light stations — four in all — before winter weather sets in.
While aids to navigation will remain, it said a geotechnical report and hazard assessment found land underneath many of the buildings was not stable and some facilities are not safe to use.
Critics, however, say destaffing the #LightStations will put at risk the safety of #mariners, small planes and the approximately 8,000 hikers using the West Coast Trail every year.
#CDNpoli #BCpoli #VancouverIsland #MarineSafety #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #BritishColumbia #PNW