I believe concerned citizens and town council are doing the right thing by deciding to clean up several issue in Deep Bay.
I know about these problems first-hand because my partner and I live on Bowen and own a sailboat anchored there. I don’t let my son swim in that water because I know it is virtually a boat toilette. And I know of far too many boats that have sunk, along with all their toxic fuels, due to careless ownership.
However, punishing the whole lot for the actions of a few seems quite unjust. Sure, I would prefer to keep our boat in the marina, but my partner and I work and live on Bowen, so we are not making the kind of money to afford such luxuries.
To me, it makes more sense, on an ethical level, to have strict rules to which all boats and owners must comply. Those who do not comply can be evicted.
I plead for this because I know of a few very decent men who live on their boats because they have jobs on Bowen. If affordable rental spaces existed they would be living on land. As is the story of late, the house my family rents is up for sale, and when it sells we have two months to move out. The fact that we have a two-bedroom sailboat in Deep Bay that we can temporarily move to when it happens helps ease our anxiety over having to move and find new jobs all at once!
Is there a problem that needs to be fixed in Deep Bay... YES!!! But a “not in my back yard unless you own a yacht” mentality will only make us all losers in the end.
Bowen Island is, and should be, made up of people from all socio-economic backgrounds. Those of us on the lower side of the scale provide all your local services and build your homes.
A much bigger picture needs to be looked at here.
Together we make this community great, and if we don’t support each other, we crumble.
Carina Basile
