Since 1971, The Blue Heron Company of Tobermory has been transporting people to Flowerpot Island, the only island in Fathom Five National Marine Park with trails and facilities.  It is one of the premier tourist destinations on the Bruce Peninsula and access to it is now in jeopardy.

            For 25 years we were able to take passengers directly to the dock at Beachy Cove, until the mid 1990's when water levels started to decline.  At that time we began to transfer passengers into Beachy Cove from the larger vessels via shallow draft Zodiacs.  With water levels declining further, Beachy Cove could not be used with certain wind conditions.  Our solution was to construct a moveable floating dock which we could relocate to the calm side of the island, secure to shore and offload passengers.  We have used this dock many times already with total success and safety.  The National Park has given us permission to use this dock on the south and east sides of the island.

            We have also used this moveable dock on the north side of Flowerpot Island, specifically at the lightstation property which is managed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).  On March 25, 2004 we received a letter from DFO in Burlington notifying us to cease the practice of disembarking or loading of passengers from their properties on Flowerpot and Cove Islands because of "safety and security" concerns.  These 'concerns' remain unclear to us as our operation is fine with Transport Canada Ship Safety, and the Flowerpot Island lighthouse property has always been open to the public and is visited by some 10,000 people annually.

 With water levels approaching record lows it appears that we will be using our floating dock on a full time basis during the upcoming season.  Obtaining permission to use the DFO property is crucial to maintaining public access to Flowerpot Island.

We are being supported in this request to DFO by Parks Canada, and the Friends of Fathom Five.  We are asking you for a letter of support.  Please mail letters to -

The Honourable Loyola Hearn
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
House of Commons
Ottawa,   ON          K1A 0A6                also if you wish, a copy to -

Mr. George Fenn
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Real Property Management
P.O. Box 85120, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 4K3

Please feel free to contact us for more information at (519) 596-8132 or email information@blueheronco.com.  Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Rick and Jack Salen