Fraser River Port tours make history come alive

Fraser River Port tours make history come alive

July 8, 2005: Visitors to this year’s FraserFest celebrations are invited to discover the rich history of Fraser River Port. Harbour tours will be aboard the MV Native, a replica of the paddlewheelers used as common cargo carriers at the turn of the 19^th century. These steam-powered ships criss-crossed the Fraser River carrying goods to and from the Port. Today, they have been replaced by container ships, ro ro's, and bulk carriers. And the port on the Fraser River is now Fraser River Port, Canada’s second largest port, supporting over 12,400 jobs created by cargo moving through Port terminals.

“Our annual harbour tours are one of the best, and most exciting ways to give the community a close-up view of what the Port does and how it benefits the region,” said Captain Allen Domaas, President and CEO of the Fraser River Port Authority.

The Fraser River Port Authority is once again sponsoring this popular FraserFest attraction on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17, with tours running hourly between 10 am and 4 pm, rain or shine. Tours will leave from the dock under the Inn at Westminster Quay. Archie Miller, the affable local historian from A Sense of History Research Services, will provide the narration.

Tickets ($5/adults and $2/children) for the 45-minute tour can be purchased on the dock next to the vessel during FraserFest, beginning at 9 am Saturday and Sunday. All proceeds from the tours will go to the Fraser Alumni Scholarship Fund for Sea Cadets and Navy League, and school programs at Fraser River Discovery Centre and Samson V Maritime Museum. These programs provide children and youth with opportunities to learn about the marine environment and waterborne commerce.