A “marine disaster” has sidelined a Victoria vessel — and could sink a charity fundraiser planned to help hundreds of local children.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Victoria has been forced to abandon plans for a May 4 gala cruise aboard Orca Spirit II after the 29-metre catamaran was damaged on Thursday.
But the organization isn’t giving up on finding another venue, floating or not, said Kate Mansell, event manager and director of development for Boys & Girls Clubs.
“It goes without saying we are devastated at this news,” she said, adding the group hoped the Wild About Whales cruise would raise about $20,000 for after-school programs. The boat accident was a weird coincidence in the wake of Tuesday’s collision at CFB Esquimalt, where a U.S. fishing trawler crashed into navy frigate HMCS Winnipeg, she said.
It isn’t clear what happened to the Orca Spirit II, said James Dale, manager of Orca Spirit Adventures, which owns the vessel. It was in the final stages of a month-long refit at a Vancouver dockyard when it came into contact with the dock while being moved. The damage appears superficial, but it cannot be repaired in time for the gala, Dale said, and the company does not have another suitable vessel available.
Almost all 85 ticket-holders, who paid $150, have been notified of the mishap, Mansell said, but it’s hoped another venue can be found before Monday afternoon, when the sink-or-swim decision must be made.
It depends on what the organization hears from the community, Mansell said. They hope getting the word out about the capsized plans will help find a solution. Otherwise, it’s possible that some of the programming may have to be curtailed.
Meanwhile, Mansell is checking out hotels with a water view.
Money from the event would support after-school programs ranging from literacy to outdoor adventures for about 700 children, ages 5 to 12, in Langford, Brentwood Bay, Vic West and Esquimalt.
“If I don’t find [the funds] through an event, I have to find it another way,” Mansell said.
“These programs are crucial to helping kids realize their potential, grow up healthy and with the inner resiliency to resist risky behaviour,” club president Cheryl d’Estrubé said in a statement.
Boys & Girls Club Services has an annual budget of about $4 million, largely from contracts with the B.C. Ministry for Children and Family Development for programs that support youth at risk and in contact with the justice system.
