Photos by M.L. Jacobs

The Pacific Chinook was built to be able to right itself in rough seas as pilot boats must be able to operate in all weather conditions.

Cruise ships must use pilots familiar with local waters when traveling through the Inside Passage. Pacific Chinook transports pilots to and from these ships.

The Pacific Chinook, owned by Pacific Pilotage and operating out of Port Hardy, BC, picked up the Canadian pilot from the Zuiderdam before leaving Canadian waters for Alaska.

The CCGS Atlantic Eagle patrolling in Queen Charlotte Sound between Aristazabal Island and Princess Royal Island.

The Atlantic Eagle is one of two emergency offshore towing vessels leased by the Canadian Coast Guard to tow tankers and container ships in distress before they get too close to shore.

MV Matanuska heading out from Skagway to Haines, Alaska carrying passengers and vehicles.

The MV Matanuska is designed to carry 450 passengers and has a vehicle capacity of 1,675 linear feet, which is equal to approximately 83 twenty-foot vehicles.

MV Matanuska is a mainline Malaspina-class ferry vessel operated by the Alaska Marine Highway System. It is leaving Skagway harbor for Haines, AK.

The Carnival Splendor at dock in the Juneau harbor on its first cruise of the season from Seattle.

The Carnival Splendor at dock in Juneau, AL, part of a 7 day cruise from Seattle.

FRPD 309 is a trailing suction hopper dredger heading to Centerm.

The powerful SST Grizzly takes on the waves of the incoming tide as it heads out to English Bay.

The TYMAC STORM accompanying the Asahi Maru as it leaves Vancouver heavily laden with cargo.

The ASAHI MARU leaving from Vancouver accompanied by the Tymac Storm.

The ASHAI MARU sitting very low in the water as it is escorted out of the harbour after loading at Neptune Terminals.

The Nautical Sif leaves Vancouver heading for China.

The SIYAY Coast Guard Search and Rescue Hovercraft heads out at a fast speed over to Fraser River.

The Star Legend cruises into the Port of Vancouver from Ketchikan on a beautiful sunny June early morning.

Heading out in the afternoon sun.

The Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam passes under the Lions Gate Bridge at the beginning of her one week cruise to Alaska.

Passing by West Vancouver on her way to the inner harbour.

THE MUR AFRICAN QUAIL just about to pass under the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver.

The MUR AFRICAN QUAIL caught a rare bean of sunlight as she entered into the Vancouver harbour.

The CMA CGM LYRA travelling quickly out of the Vancouver port on her way to Nakhodka, Russia. This ship is longer than two Canadian football fields.

The Anna Maersk passing Stanley Park in Vancouver on her way to the Port of Vancouver container terminal.

The Ovation of the Seas completes a 90 degree turn to position itself in its berth in the Cruise Ship Terminal at Canada Place in Vancouver.

The Ovation of the Seas successfully passes under the Lions Gate Bridge and heads for the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place.

Considerable skill and low tide is required to navigate a ship of this size under the Lions Gate Bridge.

Ovation of the Seas, the third Quantum-class ship built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, for Royal Caribbean Cruises, sailed into Vancouver at low tide for one of two visits in 2019.

The BAP Union cruises past Stanley Park as it heads towards Hawaii.

The BAP Union is a training ship for Peruvian naval cadets. It arrived in Vancouver to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Peru. The ship has 34 sails and houses 243 crew members. It is 115.50 378 ft 11in in length and 13.5m 44 ft. 3 in in width. Its air draft the distance from the vessels highest point to the waterline is a remarkable 53.50 m 175 ft 6 in. The BAP Union left Lonsdale Quay just before low tide to be able to clear the Lions Gate Bridge.

The Atlantic Crown tanker on its way to deliver its oil.

The Atlantic Crown oil tanker escorted by the SST Grizzly.

The SST Grizzly is a recent acquisition by the Smits Towage Company, purchased in October, 2018. It is one of the largest and most powerful tugs on the West Coast. It has a Caterpillar main engine and generator set and a controllable pitch Schottel-Z drive.

The Torm Thyra tanker accompanied by the Seaspan Kestrel about to pass under the Lions Gate Bridge.

The Torm Thyra tanker heading for anchor.

The oil tanker Argent Hibiscus leaves at dusk to deliver a load of fuel to the Port of ADAK in Alaska.

The oil tanker Argent Hibiscus departs at dusk after taking on a load of fuel for the Port of ADAK in Alaska.

The Global Heart passing by the cliffs of Stanley Park on its way to moor in North Vancouver.

The Global Heart moving into its new mooring to wait for its cargo.

Rebunkering in the rain at Vancouver Harbour anchorage X.

At Vancouver Harbour anchorage A.

Rebunkering while at Vancouver Harbour anchorage X.

A dark and rainy day at Vancouver Harbour anchorage X waiting to move to Alliance Grain Terminal.

Departing Coal Harbour on a whale watching tour.

Pulling away from the dock in Coal Harbour to begin another tour.

Heading east past Lynnterm.

Backing away from the dock in Coal Harbour to begin another tour.

Approaching St. Roch Dock for passenger pickup.