Our Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, along with Transport Canada has long wielded absolute power over the comings and goings of both transient and permanent boaters, and activities overall in the Upper, Inner, and Outer Harbours.
Let's just say that the Authority (and Transport Canadas Harbour Master) have long enjoyed a reputation for being officious such that their somewhat over the top approach to operating the Harbour is noticed by experienced boaters as being substantially different (indeed far less enjoyable) to other West Coast harbours of equal or better facility.
It could be argued that things are as they are for two reasons:
- There are multiple masters - our Inner Harbour is "owned and operated" by the COV, the Province of B.C., Transport Canada, and to a lesser degree - Canada Border Services Agency.
- The Harbour is a busy, working harbour with many users, and many serious safety concerns - like massive ferries maneuvering in the confines of a harbour that sees endless numbers of aircraft taking off and landing, accompanied by canoes, kayaks, pleasure boaters, mini-ferries, and massive remediation/construction projects all mixed in the same bowl.
Regardless, all of the above is light years more desirable than a dead harbour surrounded by condominiums occupied by owners who file noise complaints when they hear a dog barking.
But the "officiousness" noted above does tend to make doing things (any "things") in the Inner Harbour somewhat more difficult than most believe they actually need to be.
Edited by Cassidy, 03 April 2019 - 10:32 AM.