The Sanctuary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is an updated concept for the installation of a perimeter barrier composed of floating HDPE pipes (High Density Polyethylene) with 8” mesh dyneema netting attached to the pipes at the top, and attached at the bottom on the sea floor to HDPE sinker tubes with additional anchor blocks.   Anchors and lines on the outside of the netting will stabilize the perimeter pipes.  We have eliminated the attachments to the islets with piers and removed the building on the islet found in the previous plan, which is far better and less impactful on the islets and the environment.  If needed, small structures could be built on the dock for storage and supplies.  Access to the dock by staff will be by boat through a gate in the barrier net in the space between the dock and the islet.  The floating dock includes a feeding station, slide out and medical lift for medical exams and veterinary care. The barrier net with a fence added will keep boat traffic away, prevent any physical contact with Corky (and possible pathogen transfer), and prevent any marine mammals or other possible animals from jumping into or climbing into the enclosure. 

Here is the Sanctuary facility plan laid out on an aerial shot from June 2023, featuring four newly remodeled cabins for SeaWorld staff, a wing of rooms dedicated to Sanctuary operations, and 12 guest rooms for staff and visitors.  Final remodel and finish work is underway in the cabins, and additional exterior coats of paint are being applied.  Refinish of the outside decks is planned for later in the summer.  Construction can be seen underway on the curing shed for the new composting and grey water system which will require extensive new installations, tankage, pumps, plumbing and raised garden beds for final purification.  This is a huge undertaking and will take much more work to complete – hopefully sometime next year.  The new system will replace the old septic system that was discharging into the bay.  

A Better Quality of Life

The former fishing lodge, Pacific Outback Resort, was purchased in October, 2018, by Michael Reppy to be converted into the infrastructure for a whale sanctuary for the Northern Resident Orca, Corky.  

For the past five years, Michael has been directing the rebuild of the facility, that is nearly ready to house a SeaWorld team of vets, trainers, and staff.  Corky will continue to receive the same hand feeding and medical care she has received all these years.  This is the best of both worlds, to give Corky a better quality of life, with the commitment to care for her at the sanctuary for the rest of her life.   And there is room enough for a companion orca, so Corky would not have to be alone.  In addition, her A5 pod family passes by often in adjacent Blackfish Sound, would communicate with Corky vocally with the A5 dialect, and would undoubtedly come into the bay to re-connect with Corky at the net.  What an amazing moment that will be!  For the complete story of the rebuild of the facility, read more.

Two members of Corky’s A5 Pod pass by entrance to Double Bay Sanctuary:  A79 Current on the left and A66 Surf on the right, unfortunately now deceased.  Photo: Jared Towers

Removal of one of the old septic tanks that was discharging into the bay

Rebuilding the Former Fishing Lodge

Spring 2022

The final phase of the rebuild has begun now in spring 2022, which should be completed during the summer, and will include:

  • Construction of a completely new composting toilet/grey water system with above ground curing and processing of waste, and removal of the old septic tanks and pipes which discharge into the bay.
  • Addition of 5.5 kW of solar panels to the 10kW of solar with battery storage already installed.
  • Completion of the remodel of two one bedroom care team staff cabins with new kitchens.
  • Completion of the repainting of the entire facility.

The facility will shine like new, provide comfortable living quarters and infrastructure space for Corky’s care team, and be a model of sustainability, totally solar powered, and with all waste processed on site with no discharge into the bay.  Bay waters have already tested very toxin free, but will be even cleaner and purer for Corky.

Past history of the rebuild

2018

On October 12, Michael Reppy closed the deal on the purchase of the Pacific Outback Resort on Double Bay, Hanson Island, British Columbia.  Work was begun immediately repairing rotted foundations and decks.

2019

Repairs continued on foundations, decks, and buildings.  And a major accomplishment was the installation of 38 solar panels in three arrays with battery storage by the Viridian Energy Cooperative.  The facility was now almost totally solar powered, with the large diesel generator that had powered the fishing lodge and ran almost constantly, only needed for occasional back-up bulk charging.

2020

Remodeling of two cabins to become staff quarters for the Corky Care Team was begun, a kitchen was installed in the owners cabin, and the addition of a bedroom was begun. The design plan by BC expert Ian Ralston for a completely new composting toilet and grey water system was approved by the Ministry of the Environment, and delivery of tanks, plumbing, bags of pea gravel, and biochar was made by barge.  The repainting job continued.

2021

A larger crew was brought in to repaint the entire facility.  Major repairs of the dock were completed by welders, and the sunken end was refloated with addition of more floatation.  The entire dock was repainted.  A new kitchen and wood stove was installed in the staff cabin, and Lisa Larsson painted a beautiful orca mural.