Chemainus Hospital News

City, Owners Argue over Drifting Drydocks

High winds set a portion of the dry docks in Chemainus Bay dangerously adrift last week, prompting some finger pointing between the owners and North Cowichan. Three massive dry dock sections, still lashed together, became separated and were blown sideways relative to the remaining two sections at about 6:30 p.m. May 1. The sections didn't cause any damage and tugboats had the dry docks re-secured together within a few hours. In early March, North Cowichan gave permission to Chemainus Quay and Marina Complex Ltd., the dry dock owners, to take down the 12-metre high wingwalls, citing safety concerns because of winter windstorms. Two months later little has been done. Chemainus Quay and Marina sources say North Cowichan has been putting up bureaucratic roadblocks.