Pacific Industrial & Marine  returned on Tuesday. They were too busy maneuvering the new western float into place to answer any questions this morning. One of the crew mentioned their work on the Squirrel Cove dock is nearing completion and will probably be finished on Monday, Feb 24, 2020.

They appear to have finished on the east float. The new steel piles are in place. Segments of the old wooden piles are tied up to the wharf, or piled onto a float.

Some people question whether it was necessary to spend hundreds of thousands of tax dollars on a project like this.

As there was no one to answer my questions, I decided to let my camera find the answers. The exposed rot in the three cross sections below immediately came to my attention.

Next, my eyes went to the moss growing on the now visible wooden piling tops.

Crossing over to the old west float, I could not help but notice how slimy the planks felt underfoot. While some of the timber was probably still good, I do not know how much longer it would have lasted. There was a lot of moss and grass growing out of the planks.

I’m inclined to agree with the Small Craft Harbours inspector who decided this work had to be done.

After Pacific leaves, the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island will do the little odds and sods that remain: deck posts, railings etc.