The HMCS Mackenzie was named after the mighty Mackenzie river located in Northern Canada. Built in Halifax and commissioned in 1961, this vessel served as a training ground for much of Canada's navy. The Restigouche-class destroyer escort is a 366 foot long, 42 foot wide with a mean draft of 13.5 feet and 2900 ton capacity. Included aboard during peacetime operations was a crew compliment of 12 officers and 198 men. The Mackenzie (or Mack a she was affectionately called) was sunk by the Artificial reef society of British Columbia on Sept. 16, 1995 as part of their ongoing project. This project involves a series of diver prepared vessel up and down the coast with skill ranges for every class of diver. Salvage operations removed many metal parts which were recycled and aided in make this vessel both environmentally and diver safe. The upper main deck is about 60 fsw, lower aft deck about 75 fsw and bottom 100-110 fsw.
Warnings:
Currents can be very strong and unpredictable here, ranging up to 2 knots.
Divers
unfamiliar with conditions in these waters should always use local
experience charters,
which can be arranged at the many area dive shops.
Review by Bernie Kyle bernie_kyle@mindlink.bc.ca
Type:
Shore or boat SCUBA dive. For advanced divers.
Location:
Coon Bay is located at the north end of Galiano Island on the Straight of
Georgia side of Porlier Pass. A long thin reef complex begins on the west
side of the bay and runs out into Porlier Pass. The dive can be either a
shore dive or a boat dive depending on the end of the reef you dive.
To reach Coon Bay head to the north end of Galiano Island along Porlier Pass Road. Turn right at Cook Road and follow the right fork in the dirt road to Coon Bay. The area around Coon Bay is also called Dionisaio Point Provincial Park.
Underwater:
For SCUBA divers start in the sandy bay and find the beginnings of the
reef along the west side of the bay. Follow the reef out under Porlier
Pass. Plan on having enough air to return to shore underwater as direct
ascent to the surface in the middle of Porlier pass is dangerous. A compass
is recommended as the reef system is quite complex.
At times sand lance can be seen exploding from the sand in the bay.
Bull kelp grows along the top of the reef to 40 fsw and contains large
cabezons. Rockfish and lingcod are abundant on the reef below 40 fsw.
Warnings:
Boat traffic, strong currents, whirl pools and exposure to bad weather from
the Straight of Georgia can make this dive hazardous. Check the current
table for Porlier Pass and dive near the slack. Pick a calm day when the
Straight of Georgia is not too rough. SCUBA divers should conduct this dive
as if in an overhead environment, direct ascend to the surface in the middle
of Porlier Pass can be hazardous.
Review by Barrie Kovish bmk@dsi.bc.ca
Location:
The government wharf is located at the north west end of Galiano Island on the
Trincomali Channel side.
To reach the government wharf head to the north end of Galiano Island along Porlier Pass Road. The wharf is located near the end of the road. A store overlooks the water near the wharf. Just past the wharf is a blocked boat launch ramp which is the best spot to start the dive.
Underwater:
Enter the water at the base of the boat launch ramp and head north along the
shore. Depths range from a few feet to 80 fsw. This sight contains a large
amount of encrusting life including a mass of tube worms 100 meters along
the shore at about 40 fsw. Octopus and king crabs can also be seen.
Warnings:
The 3 biggest hazards are boats and anglers using the warf and the ocasional
kid leaping into the water from the top deck.
Review by Barrie Kovish bmk@dsi.bc.ca
Location:
Virago Point is located on Galiano Island at the Trincomali side of Porlier
Pass. A rock reef runs out a short distance into Porlier Pass.
To reach Virago Point will require either a boat or permission from the local Indian band who own the land around the point. For a shore dive follow Porlier Pass road north along Galiano Island to the end. Then hike the short distance out to Virgo Point. For a boat dive you will probably have to launch the boat in Montague Harbour and then motor up the length of Galiano Island.
Underwater:
For SCUBA divers, enter the water on the lee side of the point and follow the
reef out under Porlier Pass. This dive should be conducted as if in an
overhead environment as surfacing in the middle of Porlier Pass is dangerous.
The reef is simple and descends to below 90 fsw. There is an abundance of
fish and invertebrate life at this location.
Warnings:
The main hazard is the strong current, however one diver was seriously cut
when he stepped on a broken beer bottle on the hike out to the point.
Check the current table for Polier Pass and dive near the slack.
Review by Barrie Kovish bmk@dsi.bc.ca
Location:
Active Pass is the body of water between Galiano Island and Mayne Island.
Take the ferry to Sturdies Bay on Galiano Island. It is possible to go as a foot passenger. Hike about 2 to 4 km from Sturdies Bay to Bellhouse Provincial Park ( not recommended with SCUBA ).
Underwater:
Enter the water at Bellhouse Provincial Park and swim along the shore into
Active Pass. The entire area from Mary Anne Point to Collinson Point is
excellent diving with large amounts of encrusting life. However much of
Georgeson Bay is dull and can be skipped. A school of black rockfish can
usually be seen around Salalikum Rock. If you are not back before dark the
light from Georgina Point is not enough to find your cloths.
Warnings:
The main hazard is the strong current and the rough weather that can effect
the Straight of Georgia end of Active Pass. Check the current table and
dive on days when the peak flow is not too high. Do not attempt to swim
out into the pass where whirlpools exist. Killer whales have been seen in
this Pass. On one occasion they were observer attacking the stellar
sealions that frequent Helen Point at the south west end of the pass.
Review by Barrie Kovish bmk@dsi.bc.ca
Type:
Boat SCUBA dive. For advanced divers.
Location:
Located off of Georgina Point on Mayne Island in BC's Southern Gulf Islands.
For most people this will be a boat dive however the shoals are within swimming
distance of shore for free divers.
Late in summer the shoals can be located by the thick bull kelp that grows on them. When kelp is not present the shoals can be located by either depth sounder or the disturbance in the waters surface created when the tidal current runs over the shoals.
Underwater:
The shoals are a set of rocky out cropping that plunge steeply into the
ocean. Depths start at 35 fsw and go deeper. Visibility is strongly
influenced
by runoff from the Fraser River and can vary from 5 feet to 80 feet. Moderate
currents create a wealth of large marine life including six gill sharks.
There are also many smaller creatures including basket stars, and large
schools of herring and sand lance. Once I saw a snipe eel here. The smaller
benthos is not as rich at this sight as many other Gulf Island locations.
Free divers will find this location a challenge as the constant current
makes station keeping difficult.
Warnings:
Strong currents and exposure to bad weather from the Straight of Georgia
can make this dive hazardous. Check the current table for Active
Pass and dive near the slack. The large marine life creates a potential
hazard. Free divers or spear fishermen should consider the potential for
encountering a large shark or killer whale while some distance from shore.
Review by Barrie Kovish bmk@dsi.bc.ca
