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This rare type of pilot is heading to Fraser River Discovery Centre

What's happening Around Town
Fraser River
Fraser River pilot Mike Armstrong, one of eight people in the world licensed to take marine boats on the Fraser, is appearing at this weekend's Faces of the Fraser speakers series. Here, a log barge makes its way along the Mighty Fraser.

Did you know that every ocean-going vessel that uses the Fraser River has to have a local marine pilot in command? And that there are only eight of them in the world qualified to do that critical job?

Fraser River pilot Mike Armstrong, one of eight people in the world licensed to take marine boats on the Fraser, is appearing at the upcoming Faces of the Fraser speakers series.

“We are really excited to have Mike come and join us for the next Faces of the Fraser,” said Stephen Bruyneel, Fraser River Discovery Centre’s director of external relations and development. “Come and learn firsthand about some of the challenges that are faced in using the mighty Fraser every day.”

Armstrong is former chair and director of the Canadian Marine Pilots Association, Fraser River Pilotage district. As a working pilot for most of his professional life, he’s well acquainted with the roles, responsibilities and dangers of navigating up and down the Fraser River.

Faces of the Fraser is on Saturday, March 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Fraser River Discovery Centre, 788 Quayside Dr. It’s free with admission to the FRDC, but there are only a limited number of seats, so pre-registration is recommended. To register go to www.fraserriverdiscovery.org or call 604-521-8401.

The Faces of the Fraserspeaker series is an opportunity for the community to engage with knowledgeable professionals and community members who want to share their experiences about the Mighty Fraser.