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The April Point Connector

by Greg Bellevance 2016

Hornet

The Hornet in her original configuration. (Photo from the Greg Bellavance collection. )

The Hornet as it was in a previous life was on the hard at Victoria Shipyards when Bellavance Welding Ltd. was contacted by the Oak Bay Marine Group regarding a possible purchase and refit. Gene Bellavance flew down in his Cessna L–19 Birddog to meet with Don Pretty and it was decided that it was a sound hull with potential to fulfill their needs at their April Point Lodge.

Hornet

The Hornet during the tow to the Bellavance Welding Ltd. yard. (Photo from the Greg Bellavance collection. )

The vessel was hauled to our facilities on Saltspring Island where it underwent a major refit to its present state as well as renamed as the April Point Connector. Mr. Pretty was with the Oak Bay Marine Group at that time. He is currently (2016) the General Manager at Canoe Cove. I took over Bellavance Welding Ltd. in 2004 after my Dad, Gene Bellavance, was killed in a crash of his float plane.

April Point Connector

The April Point Connector: Launch Day after a very successful sea trial. (Photo from the Greg Bellavance collection. )

In 1971 she was built as the Hornet by Shore Boat Builders Ltd., Burnaby BC. 7.86m x 3.02m x 1.25m Aluminum hull. 8.65gt 7.49. She is powered by a 210bhp Caterpillar diesel engine.

In 1971–1980 she was owned by Ib Knoblaugh, Alert Bay BC. In 1982 she was owned by Robert A. George, Galiano Island BC. In 1983–1992 she was owned by Robert A. George, Hope Bay, Pender Island BC. In 1993–1999 she was owned by Pacific Canadian Fisheries Inc., Vancouver BC. In 2001–2016 she was owned by Oak Bay Marina Ltd., Victoria BC.

April Point Connector

The April Point Connector. This was recently sent to me by a Pacific Coastal Airways flight deck crew member (a friend) when he saw our name on it. (Photo from the Greg Bellavance collection. )

Editor’s Note Greg Bellavance is the owner of Bellavance Welding Ltd. and he states that "we continue to supply the marine industry with purpose–built vessels as well as refit and rebuild work." Gene Bellevance founded the company in 1973 to build aluminum boats for a then booming fishing industry and soon moved into all sorts of metal work. Based on Saltspring Island they use a 40 foot motorized transport barge to deliver building materials, heavy equipment and whatever else may be needed on building sites on the outer Gulf Islands.


To quote from this article please cite:

Bellevance, Greg (2016) The April Point Connector. Nauticapedia.ca 2016. http://nauticapedia.ca/Gallery/April_Point_Connector.php

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