Good morning! So many of us had a hard time getting together with our loved ones this Christmas season, with the horrible weather shutting down airports and highways across the country.
But for some, getting home was never an option: I'm talking specifically about the people working aboard the ships floating off our shores. My editor, Jimmy Thomson, tracked down the crew of one of those ships to find out how they're spending their holiday far from home. Read that below.
P.S. I asked you last week to help me get to 14,000 subscribers, and you didn't disappoint. We're so closeto hitting that goal; can you pass this on to someone in the Westshore who wants to be on top of what's happening out here?
MAIN STORY
How does a ship's crew spend Christmas? We talk turkey (actually, duck and fish) with the crew of the Maersk Trader
The crew of the Maersk Trader sits down for a multinational Christmas dinner (📸: Submitted)
Since The Westshore launched about two years ago, we've been bringing you a twice-weekly look at What's Offshore—what ships are floating off the coast, where they're coming from, and where they're headed. But a question has been percolating at the same time: w_ho_is__offshore? Who are the people carrying those goods from place to place? Where do _they_come from? And what do they think of this little corner of the world?
Well, on Christmas Eve, we finally got in touch with the crew of one of those ships, the Maersk Trader. That's one of the ships involved in the Ocean Cleanup Project, and also happened to be one of the first to respond with water cannons pumping when the Zim Kingston went up in flames last year.
The crew of the Maersk Trader talked to us about how their multinational crew came together to celebrate with a Christmas dinner suitable for people from the UK, Poland, the Faroe Islands and Denmark at the same time, and how they're spending a Christmas away from home.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Colwood mayor wants “performance metrics” and more advisory committees in 2023
Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi at his inauguration Nov 2022. (📸 City of Colwood)
Doug Kobayashi has a vision for Colwood council, and in some areas it’s a marked departure from his predecessor. As a councillor, Kobayashi had a gimlet eye on municipal finances and their implication to taxpayers, so it’s not a surprise that he wants to introduce a tool to help council evaluate what projects and initiatives are getting the best bang for Colwood’s buck.
He’s calling them performance metrics, and hopes to introduce them in the new year. He hopes they will help council in budget deliberations this January, though they’re off to a later start than normal because most of the council are new politicians and have had a steep learning curve.
Around the 'Shore
🏛 Winter storm delays sentencing for escaped Metchosin inmate: Beyond ferries, flights and buses, cold and snowy conditions have also delayed court proceedings. Zachary Armitage, who was set to be sentenced last week for killing 60-year-old Metchosin father Martin Payne in 2019, has had his sentencing pushed to Jan. 11. Armitage pleaded guilty to the crime while his co-accused, James Lee Busch was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to life. [CHEK News]
🚚 **West Shore RCMP say they've recovered a loaded moving van:**the van was among $100,000 in stolen property connected with a string of construction site robberies this fall. Most of the break-ins happened in Colwood, and the van was recovered in Shirley. Three people were arrested, and about $100,000 worth of stolen goods, including a Bobcat excavator, is still missing. [RCMP]
🌟 This time of year can bring up a lot of difficult feelings. Emotionally Aligned Counselling & Coaching offers easy and convenient online counselling to help you enjoy life again.*
💦All Westhore communities on flood watch: The BC River Forecast Centre is warning that "river levels are rising," and may overflow their banks. [River Forecast Centre]
*Sponsored Listing
SPONSORED POST. CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE WESTSHORE.
TOGETHER WITH CAPITAL DAILY FESTIVAL
Kick off 2023 with Capital Daily!
On Wednesday, January 18, you’re invited to the Capital Daily Festival, an exclusive event for Capital Daily Insiders that brings together some of the city’s brightest citizens as speakers and panelists, and performances by local artists.
See and hear music by ASTROCOLOR, Wolf Parade co-founder Spencer Krug, Nicky MacKenzie and Old Soul Rebel, and speakers like Gregor Craigie, Luke Mari, Julie Angus, Andrew Wilkinson and many others. The best part? Insiders get to bring a guest (also for free). Not an Insider? Become one today to join us on Jan. 18, enjoy free merch, and amazing events all year long!
Community Events
**⛸**The outdoor skating rink at City Centre Park is decked out as a winter wonderland, and open for skating. There are fire pits, snacks, hot drinks, and skate rentals available. Every day from Nov. 25 to Jan. 2, registration is recommended though drop-in is allowed.
🏒 Hockey at the Q Centre this weekend: Victoria Grizzlies have back to back games this weekend on Colwood. On Friday they play the Powell River Kings, and Saturday they face Cowichan Valley Capitals. Both games start at 7pm.
🤿 **Whiffin Spit Park polar bear swim:**The Otter Point Fire Department is hosting an annual polar bear swim on New Year’s Day. Registration starts at 11:30am, the swim is at noon.
What’s Offshore?
Screengrab via marinetraffic.com
🚢**#1**The Frederico II is a bulk carrier built in 2009 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Tamakomai, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver and was scheduled to arrive on Friday.
⛴ #2 The Shoyoh is a bulk carrier built in 2013 and is sailing under the flag of Japan. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Soma, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver and was scheduled to arrive on Sunday.
🛳 #3 The Zim Baltimore is a container ship built in 2010 and is sailing under the flag of Liberia. It is sailing from 🇺🇸 Los Angeles, US ➡ 🇰🇷 Busan, South Korea and is scheduled to arrive on Jan. 12.
SPONSORED POST. CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE WESTSHORE.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CAPITAL DAILY HOLIDAY DRIVE
💝Help us reach our goal and help local children!
This year’s Capital Daily Holiday Drive, in partnership with United Way Southern Vancouver Island, supports early childhood education programs, giving our local children the building blocks to succeed.
Our goal is to help 1 in 4 local young children and their families, by raising $200,000. Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by generous local business partners. Donate today and invest in the future of our city and region!
Westshore Snaps
"It was gorgeous and yes, we enjoyed the camaraderie of the neighbours too as we shovelled the snow on our quiet street in East Sooke." — Linda Mooney
📸 What does the storm's aftermath look like where you are? If you've snapped a photo you’d like to share, send it with a caption and don’t forget to add where you live.