In 2006 I experienced a Pacific super-storm that ripped down trees and wrecked cars and houses and even killed a few people. Â Days before I arrived in Vancouver there was another one.
Although not as bad, this storm was still strong enough to bring down some tree limbs and make people nervous. Big onshore wind combined with outgoing tide means big waves. These conditions were layered on top of a new moorage bylaw in False Creek that limits the number of boats and the length of time they can drop anchor in the harbour. At one point I’d take post-kayak workout showers with several women who lived aboard and came to the community centre for running water before heading out to work. However, these days the creek is mostly empty except for a few brief visitors. It makes the dragonboat racing go SO MUCH smoother, but the creek has lost a bit of subversive flavour – few remaining counter-culture monuments against the rows of glass condos.
At any rate, I was surprised to see 4 boats smashed onto the rocks (3 South, 1 North). They had been there about a week but were already thoroughly scavenged of all metal and reusable parts. I think the remaining bits will have to be removed by the city; the boats are definitely totalled and I can’t imagine folks paying to dispose of them when they have already lost the boat.
