Swift Stories | Summer 2023

During our summer trips, crew members take turns blogging about their adventures while they're at sea. The following are excerpts from the Pacific Swift's blog, written during day 8 of Trip 4.
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Our days have been full and wonderful out here and it has taken us by surprise that we are already closing out our eighth day onboard this trip. As I write we are tucked away in Pruth Bay, Calvert Island. Yesterday was a long travel day for us, complete with swell, sun, sailing, whales and much more. Late last night we slipped into Codville Lagoon, dropping our prawn trap before setting our anchor for the night. The sky was stunningly clear and smothered in stars and the bioluminescence glowed on anything that touched the water. This morning we all did the short hike to Sagar Lake and were greeted with a much-welcomed freshwater swim in remarkably warm water! The sand at the lake is a stunning orange colour which also reflects in the colour of the lake. Feeling refreshed we returned to the Swift for lunch and to pick up our bounty from the prawn trap before leaving Codville Lagoon and once again turning our course south. We were met with a building breeze which carried us at 9 and at times almost 10kts to our anchorage here in Pruth.

The group onboard has quickly felt like old friends. From the time everyone stepped aboard that first evening in Daajing Giids it has felt as though the community onboard has known one another for ages. That first evening we left Daajing Giids and took advantage of a small weather window to head to the very south end of Gwaii Haanas. After a lovely calm night, we arrived at SGang Gwaay Llnagaay on Anthony Island. A UNESCO World Heritage site, SGang Gwaay Llnagaay was once a Haida Village and many totems and house remains can still be seen. We were welcomed ashore by Watchmen Reg and Gordie who gifted us the remarkable opportunity to walk through the village. They humbly and honestly shared their stories and history with us, an impactful experience for us all.


Saying goodbye we headed back to the east side of Gwaii Haanas as the seas were forecasted to continue building. We tucked away in Ikeda cove, a lovely, secluded anchorage with the remains of a Haida fishing Weir across the creek mouth. The forest in from the beach was carpeted in thick, lush moss up to 12ft deep in places and draped across branches of trees.

The next morning we turned north to GaysiiGas K’iidsii (Burnaby Narrows) and sailed in the ups and downs of the wind funnelling through each inlet we passed by. Arriving at the narrows after dinner we awoke early the next morning and took our breakfast in the dories to explore the expanse of marine life that can be seen at low tide...with everyone peering over the sides of the dories to see Urchins, moon snails, leather stars, bat stars, kelp crabs and so much more.

We returned to the Swift and once again set sail north to T’aanuu Llnagaay, another Haida Watchman site. In the morning we were greeted by Gracie and her exuberant 4-year-old daughter! She walked us through the remains of the Village of T’aanuu, striking moss-covered house pits with paths lined in shells. She shared an abundance of knowledge and history with our trainees and crew and spoke honestly of her own life. After saying goodbye, we knew it was time to turn our course towards Hecate Strait. We had been watching the weather each day and all were eager for a passage of sailing rather than motoring. We set full sail and made fantastic time into the evening and through the night! The sun was shining, and spirits were high as all hands were keen to set, lower and adjust all sail, making light work of it all. It’s is hard to say goodbye to such a beautiful and inspiring place. No amount of time ever feels like it would be enough.

However, we knew stronger winds were coming and we had many miles to put behind us. As we approached the Central Coast around 0100, we were greeted with the most wonderful sight on our electronic charts, the Pacific Grace appeared on our AIS in exactly the anchorage we were heading for! Excitement was high as we originally believed them to be further south. We anchored next to them at 0300 and many onboard awoke in the morning to the friendly sight of friends off our stern.


The ships have been apart for a month this summer, so the reunion is always sweet and greatly anticipated. We have many trainees with family or friends aboard the Grace which added to the fun! Both boats went ashore together at Campania Island, a spectacular white sand beach we have fondly nicknamed “Hawaii north.” After a boat vs. boat game of soccer and ultimate frisbee combined, a swim and a sandcastle building competition, we returned to our boats for lunch. The rest of the afternoon we took advantage of the chance to slow down after our many full days and also took advantage of some salmon fishing which resulted in three beautiful salmon for us to enjoy! That evening we rafted alongside the Pacific Grace and both boats spent the evening swimming, rope swinging and enjoying mug up together. The next morning, we set off south together to start knocking off the many miles to Port Hardy and that brings us to last night, which we spent in Codville Lagoon. Everyone is content and settled onboard, enjoying each other’s company and the last few days here together.


Continue reading our Summer 2023 newsletter