Sorry...This Boat is Going Off Line....

It's has been quite the journey.

This experiment started back on February 7th, 2010 after a suggestion by the former manager at Aquabus. 'You should do a blog......call it 'in the center of it all...'

At the time, I didn't know what a vivid, memorable experience working during the Winter Olympics would be.

As I recorded my own daily experiences, it help make sense of what we at Aquabus were experiencing as a separate unique entity within this massive event that swallowed our city for two weeks.

As the daily exercise of observing, taking notes, forming ideas to encapsulate each unfolding day, became routine - it was a large part of the sense of sadness that I felt the day after it was all finally over.

What am I going to do now?

The original purpose of this blog, to record the experience of the Winter Olympics from our perspective on the creek, was over.

Or was it? In effect, this daily routine has developed my writing muscle, and forever changed how I observed life unfolding before me.

Now a regular day was a series of unending questions, puzzles and challenges.

All just there to piece together into a running commentary on the daily soap opera of serving people crossing the creek, and working beside people right across the spectrum of life.

And I loved it.

So I carried on, recording the unfolding life and drama that I witnessed since February 2010.

I had already met Micheal Buble and Matt Lauer, been to see an international ice hockey game during the Olympics, and met literally thousands of visitors from around the world each sharing a small snippet of themselves.

Now I told of how I met female recording artist: Colbie Caillat - she seemed a bit nervous of me. (I wonder why?)

Then I how I shared a laugh and joke with one of the legends that helped the Canucks get to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994: Kirk McClean.

And who can forget the summer of Shamrock Love, meeting and working with some of the loveliest Irish girls last year?

Like heading downtown to celebrate the one year anniversary of those  infamous games, its all been fun, fun, fun.

As I wrote each entry it was adding to the long, long letter of love and reverence I felt for this little company.

I can honestly say Aquabus helped changed my life.

When I came aboard, I was at a time of my life when I needed to challenge myself and increase my own confidence.

Without doubt, if I hadn't fallen into being a deckhand, I wouldn't have taken up the challenge to put together a 30 minute historic tour of False Creek.

I wouldn't have been in the position to give up to 8 tours a day abroad the Rainbow Hunter.

It was these busy days that built up the confidence and ease to deal with people on a constant basis.

This opportunity to re-invent myself between 2004 - 06, allowed me the confidence to walk into my practicum site and show a different way to approach at risk youth.

With humor tempered with respect and clear behavioral expectations.

I literally walked the halls of this alternative school, as if I was setting out from Granville Island with a boatload of 22 passengers. Hey! Lets have some fun today!

Unfortunately, I sense this chronicle of life at Aqubus has reached full circle.

Due to my other commitments as a father, and the uncertainty of my future as a Youth Worker in my current placement, I will no longer be able to continue this blog.

I will like to thank Geoff and Margo Pratt for all the opportunities they have given me, which I have recorded here.

I still love you both very much.

One of the loveliest compliments I have ever received from Geoff is recorded that last night of the games:

'I hug Jody and give Uncle Ray a peek on the cheek and slip out with Geoff and Margo....who drop me off on Sassy Street - Sassy after we moved into the 'hood! On the way I have to say I am touched when I thank Geoff for having me aboard and he said '...you know, I would come down to the dock, and see you in action working the crowds and just feel proud that was one of my employees...' 

I hope I can still be of service to you in the future. Best wishes to Jake - I hope you get better Jesmond!

And of course, to Jody it goes without saying........

If you stumble upon this site - I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures during 2010 to 2011. If you want more, be sure to catch up with me at my other blog:

peaacccceeeeee out sisters

The Limey

Why I Still Love Working at Aquabus.......

....the happy passengers! This family is from Australia.....

....where you can still be King for the Day.

Judy Judy! Judy!

Where you can sing like Elton John with Brook and Vanessa!

Where you can be the first official `Planker`of Aquabus!

Where thinking outside the box...is OK....

`Cos life on the `Creek...is just a bit kooky....

  

...and of course because of the `Girls, Girls, Girls``....... 

In the meantime......

peaaaaacccceeeee out sisters...

The Dark Side of the Sunny Side of the Creek......

Without doubt it's a fun place to work.

But the creek which these happy boats plough, has an unfortunate dark side. You won't hear it about, you won't read it in the papers, or see it reported on the News Hour at 6.

But it happens.

People, for whatever reason, choose to jump into False Creek, with the intention of killing themselves. Which they unfortunately do.

I bring this subject up, as it happened last week. A young male decided to jump off Granville Bridge, mid morning right near the Aquabus dock.

Apparently the incident was further emotionally inflamed by a male witness who became very agitated while attempting to direct our drivers to aid the man who jumped.

Unfortunately this occurred in front of other passengers, including children, further causing distress for all concerned.

Who knows how we would react if we witnessed such an event before our very eyes. One can only feel for the emotionally distraught witness, who was acting with best intentions.

Yet, in doing so only compounding the shock for the customers who were also in the immediate vicinity.

For the drivers on the creek, if it is mentioned, it is not usually discussed at length. I have heard various recollections of drivers who have seen people jump from a bridge, or the more grisly task of haul a body out of the creek themselves.

I know of one driver who has it happened to them on at least 6 occasions over the last 15 years or so. I quizzed one old legend, about how they handled it afterwards. He confessed to going home and having several stiff drinks afterwards.

It astounds me, how well these drivers step up and do such a professional job in such dark circumstances.

The Coast Guard commended both drivers for their professionalism in this recent incident. This is not an uncommon response in incidents past by the emergency services on Aquabus drivers.

A casual search of suicide attempts on Google brings scant results. However, Vancouver Magazine did do a insightful piece in 2008. 'Fatal Bridges' by Danielle Egan confirms what I already know.

'The current attitude toward suicide—and toward bridge jumpers in particular—is not unlike our view of incest decades ago, or of sexual abuse by priests more recently: the less said, the better. The Vancouver Police Department has a blanket policy of not discussing suicide.' 1

Egan even mentions talking to an Aquabus driver who stated:

'An Aquabus driver approaching Granville Island one morning not long ago, asked if he’d ever come across a body in False Creek, replied, “Yeah, twice, first thing in the morning, under the Granville Bridge.” Asked for details, he replied, “We’re really not supposed to talk about it.” 2

It is a subject hard to understand, let alone talk about. The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention own guidelines state that news papers should not report suicides on the front page. (3) There is a fear that copycat suicides would result if they did.

Can you remember the last time you heard about some one jumping from Granville Bridge and dying on the radio? (It took divers to go 18 feet below before they could retrieve the victim out of the water last week.)

As someone who has been at Aquabus for some time, I am still concerned that drivers and immediate witnesses who see an incident so close, should be fully aware of the services available to cope with the emotional reaction they may experience after the event.

An email to bc211.ca (a website by United Way for access to community services) resulted in a reply by Team Leader Michelle Frawley. When the Police are present they can bring in the Victim Services Unit to direct them to services in the community.

Worksafe also has a Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) which provides critical early intervention for those who witness a fatality, or physical injury. That would be a driver who pulls a body out of the creek to aid the emergency services.

By calling 1-888-922-3700 you can immediately access Mental health professionals who can debrief and follow up to reduce the distress experienced immediately following the event.

The thorny issue of suicide and if it will continue to be a taboo subject under the current guidelines is for another day.
However, for those who witness such an event - its imperative they have immediate access to health professionals that can debrief drivers that help in the aftermath of a suicide attempt.

It would really be best practice for those who experience the aftermath of a suicide attempt to call the Worksafe CIRP help line right after the event.

You can never be sure how one will react.

Be assured it's a normal reaction to an unfortunate traumatic event.

In the meantime......

peaaccccceeee out sisters......

Sources -

1, 2 - http://www.vanmag.com/news_and_features/politics/final_taboo?page=0%2C2

3 - http://www.cpa-apc.org/browse/documents/273&xwm=true

Didn't You Know? Canada Day 2011 is on August 6th this year.....

Bedecked as the 'Goodwill Ambassador' once again, I can see the confusion in the eyes of many as my Maple Leaf cape passes them by.


In my mind August 6th is Canada Day, as the Festival of Light finishes with Canada taking center stage. 

Today is going to be a good day as I arrived unfashionably early - 15 minutes before my shift.


Or so I thought.


Jody points out that I am over 2 hours early as I was suppose to start at 2pm.

.....but all is well, as fate finds helps me deckhand to old Johnny Sarko - the Hun himself!

It proved to be a happy occasion picking up passengers from Europe and beyond. 

Much to Sarko's chagrin - a women from Stockholm, thought I was cuter. Well come on........

Then two lovely ladies from Espana, who just had to get a picture with yours truly - Captain Canuck! 

But the dust literally flew, when I brushed off the cobwebs from my infamous tour. 



The script I found in my bike bag this morning was originally dated 2003!


Well, Sarko had a field day cutting and slashing the first couple of tours between Yankee Tango and GI.


He didn't like I was referring to things that didn't exist anymore ('...over there, something happened a while back...') and to much history for his liking. 

More like to much histrionics mate......

Lots of rolling of eyes and tutting later, John did pull it out of the bag when he cut in and highlighted how Green Peace was started from the very dock we call home on GI.....

1- 0 to the Hun...this time....


To be continued.......

Despite the growl of Big Kev echoing across the creek, its blue skies all day. I'm lovin' it as I'm transferred to the Hornby Street run. 

'You still married then?' 

That can only mean I'm aboard Captain Guy's boat. Last year, he ran a tight ship as Dock Master of GI, and as Captain that didn't change today. 

Driving Cyquabus IV, has the capacity to carry 30 passengers. 

Collecting fares for so many in the short hop to Hornby Street, can be done. But you have be fast, efficient and on the ball. 

So, it made sense to have two deckhands for the higher capacity Cyquabus 's. 

To make the collecting of fares more easier, with an extra pair of eyes for safety.

A pleasant surprise, especially when the other Deckhand is one of the new recent female hires. 

Hello Brook! 

Brook is living proof, that one can be a customer one day, and a employee the next. 

She liked the company so much, she went up to Jody and asked if she could have a job. 

Being from Alberta and having driven tractors all her life, she seemed a perfect candidate. 

Bright as a button, cute and a tractor driver as well.....welcome aboard Brook! 

Now, talking of new hires - what is going on this year? Is there a factory in Surrey out pumping new Aquabus employees, with the certification: GORGEOUS! 

OMG! Whose hiring these babes - it's shocking, it's outrageous.....Sammi, Samantha, Theo, Vanessa, Bino, Traci (Trixie!!!!).....I can't keep up. 

I need to lay down in a dark room for a hour........

12 hours is along time to be on your feet, but it went so quick.....

As the last banger went off into the sky by Team Canada, the mad dash of the eight lane boating highway beneath Granville Bridge was thankfully short. 

The combined 90 passenger capacity of our 3 latest boats makes the long lines snaking Hornby Street history. 



As long as Big Kev stands at the top with the equally capable Liam taking fares. Good Job Team. 

Management breathed easier once again as we survived yet another fireworks fest with NO incidents! 

Think about it - 

So many passengers safely across the creek, in the pitch black competing with other vessels of every shape and size......

Refreshments were very well deserved at the Back Stage afterwards.

As it was Canada Day (in my head) time for a rousting rendition of Canada favorite song.

...and a few heats of Heidi's fav games of 'Dance as Your Fav Kitchen Appliance' and 'Soap Opera Photos'.......

Well Done All........

In the meantime.......

peaaaaacccceeeee out sisters........