The Maritime Museum of British Columbia invites nominations for the 2013 SS BeaverMedal for Maritime Excellence, an award that recognizes outstanding contributions to the marine sector.
 
The Museum encourages nominations of anyone who has contributed to British Columbia’s marine environment, which include but are not limited to, science, technology, business, application of maritime skills, nautical heritage and culture, and academic contributions.
 
“This is the second year the Museum is asking British Columbians to recommend someone whose work has made a major contribution to our province’s diverse maritime scene,” says Commodore Jan Drent (RCN Ret’d), who heads the Museum’s medal project. “During a well-attended recognition ceremony last fall, we presented Beavermedals to maritime lawyer Peter Bernard, naval architect Robert Allen and marine industrialist Dennis Washington. We also recognized the MV Coho for its stalwart crossings between Port Angeles and Victoria over the last 50 years.”
 
The gold-plated medals are struck from copper salvaged from the 19th century paddlewheel steamship S.S. Beaver, built in England in 1835 for the Hudson’s Bay Company. After rounding the treacherous Cape Horn, the Beaver reached the Northwest coast where she served for 53 years.

This iconic vessel pioneered commercial navigation on the BC coast as a floating trading post, hydrographic survey ship and towboat. She grounded near Vancouver in 1888 and after foundering, some of her machinery was recovered providing the metal for the Beaver medal.
 
“To our knowledge, no other award encompasses all aspects of our coastal industry, history, technology, or practical application of skills,” says Jamie Webb, former president of the Museum’s foundation. “What a fitting namesake—the Beaver—or Castor Canadensis.”
 
The Maritime Museum urges members of the public to nominate a marine contributor for the Beaver medal. Potential recipients will be selected by an awards committee that includes: Capt. Stephen Brown, Chamber of Shipping of BC; Don Krusel, President & CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority;
Capt. Jamie Marshall, Vice President Operations, BC Ferries; Dr. Marianne Scott, marine writer; and Jan Drent, Past President, Maritime Museum of BC Society.
 
The 2013 nominations close on May 15. Nomination information, easy-to-complete forms and due
dates are located at mmbc.bc.ca/about-2/s-s-beaver-medal/