The traditional marine economy has suffered over the past decade in Canada, and these days independent marina owners are forced to find ways to keep their heads above water.

Long before BC Ferries took up residence in Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, Sewell’s Marina was riding the choppy waves of B.C.’s economy, and is still afloat today. Established in 1931 by Daniel Sewell, it is now being run by Daniel’s grandson Dan with great-grandchildren Megan and Eric taking on the roles of general manager and operations manager, respectively.

A pristine inland coastal harbour in the ’30s, Horseshoe Bay is carved into the mouth of Howe Sound facing Georgia Strait. Unfortunately for Daniel Sewell, its location also caught the eye of the Black Ball Ferry Company in the 1950s as it made an ideal landfall from which to establish a ferry run to the Sunshine Coast.

BC Ferries bought out the company in the ’60s and enlarged the Horseshoe Bay terminus that now serves Vancouver and Bowen Islands as well as the Sunshine Coast.

Karen Dyer photo, Business Edge
Megan Sewell of Sewell’s Marina says diversification is the key to success.

Even with all the ferry traffic, Sewell’s has still managed to whittle out a niche for itself in Horseshoe Bay. The key, says Megan Sewell, is diversification.

“We basically have two facets to our operation,” Sewell says. “We manage moorage for commuters and pleasure boaters, and we also provide tourist services.”

The tourist services are the bait and tackle of Sewell’s business. They offer fishing charters, U-drive rental boats and most recently eco-tours. “Our sports fishery is still really successful, but the service we offer that is really taking off is the Sea Quest.”

Sewell notes that corporations seeking team-building activities are regular customers of Sea Quest, billed as a treasure hunt on the water. Groups are organized into teams and equipped with a speedboat, cellphone, game map and question sheets. The objective is to organize a route on the provided maps and search for answers that can only be found by combing the coves and inlets of Howe Sound.

Another way Sewell’s Marina has worked to solidify its business foundation is by participating in a raise-and-release program to help stock local waters with wild salmon fry.

“We’ve had a bit of a problem in the past with sea otters chewing through our holding pens to get at the salmon, but we’re going to try again this year,” says Sewell.

With a new office and a diversified business plan, the fourth generation of the Sewell family is setting course for a smooth voyage into the future.

Web watch:
www.sewellsmarina.com