CANADA’S COMMERCIAL MARINE MAGAZINE AUGUST 2019 WESTERNMARINER.COM 9
Onboard the troller Silver ocean (1973, Deltaga
Boatworks, Delta) at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf
docks is ship’s dog Finnegan, a lurcher of whippet and
poodle descent (lurchers are hunting dogs bred from
a sighthound mated with a pastoral or terrier type of
dog – they were historically popular in Scotland and
northern England, where they were considered to be a
poacher’s dog). In addition to carrying C and CT licens-
es, the Silver ocean is also set up for for light towing
and log salvage work.
Shouldering its way through some
wind-driven chop on its way out of
Victoria Harbour for a whale watching
excursion is Orca Spirit Adventure’s
45-ft (13.7 m), 30-passenger orca Spirit
(1996, Reyse Marine, Surrey BC). With
twin engines rated at 373 kW (500 hp)
each, the orca Spirit is the company’s
signature vessel, capable of speeds up
to 40 knots.Orca Spirit Adventures
Lurcher boat dogs
VICTORIA’S FISHERMEN’S WHARF