History
“La Fille” was built in 1962 by Manly Shipyard in New Westminster BC for the Vancouver Tug Boat Company Ltd.
She worked mainly in the Fraser River and Vancouver Harbour handling barges. She was a favourite with her crews because of her stability and spaciousness.
She was also equipped with a fire monitor that was used to fight fires along the Fraser River during her service which makes her a welcome visitor to any dock on the coast.
In 1972 she was purchased by Seaspan and
re-named the “Seaspan Tempest”
She continued her work towing barges until she was retired in 1995 and purchased by the McVittie family in 1997.
As well as taking the family around the coast, she also worked as an assist vessel for Captain Drew’s heavy marine equipment repair business and was often seen watering down log barge loads to aid them unloading in the dry heat of summer.
Drew and Deb moved to Hornby Island full time in 2020 and “La Fille” now calls the dock at Ford Cove home where she takes out charter guests and cruises the coast with happy friends and family.
Hull turning at Manly Shipyard 1961
La Fille launch! January 25, 1962
