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A special Christmas delivery for B.C.’s remote lighthouse keepers

Coast Guard helicopters deliver cheer, ensuring Santa's work is accomplished for even the most isolated families on the B.C. coast, writes Justine Hunter

Photos by Chad Hipolito

Justine Hunter

This article was published more than 7 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

Every time she hears the thwack-thwack of an approaching helicopter, seven-year-old Sami gets ready to dash up the stairs to the landing pad at the Pachena Point lighthouse on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This will be her fourth Christmas at the lighthouse and she knows to expect a special supply visit from the Canadian Coast Guard – it's as close to seeing Santa Claus as a lighthouse kid can get, and it is hard to wait for the rotors to stop.

"I love Christmas!" she exclaims over the telephone. The holidays will bring a visit from a beloved uncle, and three generations of her family will gather together on the helicopter landing pad for part of Christmas Eve, searching for a glimpse of Santa's sleigh. (Somehow, he always slips into the house while they are out looking for him.)

Calvin Martin, Sami's grandfather, is the lighthouse keeper and raised his two children here at this isolated station. He is one of the longest-serving keepers at Pachena Point, which has stood sentry on this rugged stretch of shore since 1908. The only way in or out at Pachena Point is by helicopter – or a rugged, 17-kilometre trail hike.

"We live on the lights, so we plan very far ahead: Most of our Christmas gifts were picked in September. But anything from family or from Santa tends to come in the helicopter," Mr. Martin explains.

If there is room, the flight will also carry a box of groceries. Late in the month, perishables such as milk or lettuce are hard to come by. "You have no idea how popular cheese is," he adds.

Gordie Carr suits up for his flight up island from the Regional Operations Centre in Victoria

Capt. Gordie Carr in flight somewhere over the Pacific en route up island from the Pachena Point Lighthouse south of Bamfield, B.C.

In the week before Christmas, Coast Guard pilots visit each of the 27 staffed lighthouse stations on the West Coast by helicopter – an extra run in addition to the monthly supply visits. This trip delivers special treats such as fixings for a Christmas dinner, gifts ordered by post, as well as cards and packages from family and friends.

In the week before Christmas, Coast Guard pilots visit each of the 27 staffed lighthouse stations on the West Coast by helicopter – an extra run in addition to the monthly supply visits. This trip delivers special treats such as fixings for a Christmas dinner, gifts ordered by post, as well as cards and packages from family and friends.

Captain Gordie Carr will be flying one of these missions this year – it is his first tour of Christmas duty for the Coast Guard, but not his first flight of this kind. "When I was in Afghanistan, I did the Christmas run for the U.S. service troops," he said. It was a joyous task amid otherwise grim duties. "Each member was given a box, they would stand right there on the helipad, shaking the box and they'd open it right there."

He expects happy faces to be waiting for him on this run too. He's prepared to take his time and to bring his appetite. "It's a hazard of my work, the cookies they typically serve us. I'm expecting some gingerbread."

Tamara Martin and her daughter Sami, 7, on the landing pad at Pachena Point Lighthouse, south of Bamfield, B.C.

Lighthouse keeper Karen Zacharuk carries supplies back to base at Cape Beale Light Station on Vancouver Island.

Tamara Martin and her daughter Sami, 7, on the landing pad at Pachena Point Lighthouse, south of Bamfield, B.C.

Jake Etzkorn recalls the first time he saw Santa, stepping out of a Coast Guard helicopter at the remote lighthouse at Carmanah Point where he grew up.

This year, he and his young family are spending their first Christmas as the keepers at the Merry Island lighthouse, and once again the sound of the helicopter will herald the arrival of goodies and perhaps, a jolly old elf. (A red-and-white dressed Santa no longer joins the crew as he once did, but the pilots surely qualify as Santa's helpers.)

For Mr. Etzkorn, this supply run brings back fond memories. He was raised at lighthouses – mostly at the remote Carmanah Point lighthouse – and the Coast Guard's Christmas supply run was always the event of the season.

A view from above Carmanah Point Light Station in Carmanah Point, B.C.

"It was not only the Christmas presents arriving, Santa coming along, but also one of the few times in the winter that we would have any visitors," he recalls.

He is now a second-generation lighthouse keeper, and his family has grown to include a 2 1/2-year-old son and an eight-month-old daughter.

His son is not entirely sure yet what Christmas is all about. But the toddler gets excited whenever a helicopter arrives. "It will be exciting for sure," Mr. Etzkorn says. "It will be fun to share that with my son."

Watch: Coast Guard makes special Christmas visits to B.C.'s lighthouse keepers

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