After strong contrary winds prevented the originally planned ceremony to release Stephen’s ashes at sea last August 12—Stephen Carlman’s 82nd birthday—his ashes were finally committed to the ocean on Thursday, August 21, in a voyage of remembrance and ritual.
Chris Boulsbee, his wife Marilyn, and I motored Kingfisher, their Fisher 30-foot pilothouse sailboat, from Gabriola Island to Vancouver on the Wednesday, August 20. On Thursday morning, we departed across English Bay. We rounded Point Atkinson, weathering big waves created by the “Cape Effect,” then continued up into Howe Sound.
Just outside Halkett Bay—inside the marine park where Stephen and I often anchored together—we performed the ceremony. We gently released the ashes package into the water, tossed in several white roses, and toasted Stephen with his favourite Mount Gay Barbados rum. In a final gesture of love, Stephen’s rum portion was poured to follow his ashes into the sea.
Releasing Stephen Carlman’s ashes at sea in Halkett Bay marine park.
This event follows Stephen’s obituary published in Currents, which reminds us of his rich life and deep connections to the boating community.
Currents PDFs
Thank you 🙏 Stephen and Nancy for your decades of contributions to the Bluewater Cruising Association!
In recent years Stephen asked me to find a series of old flags and burgees of historic significance.
After each task was completed, a glass was raised to celebrate. Sometimes I found it difficult to determine if his point of view was serious. 🧐 I learned that if I waited his mischievous 😉 smile 😃 would reveal that the joke was on me!!
Sail on sailor……
Dear Nancy,
This is such a loving tribute to Stephen’s memory. I feel that many BCAers, including myself, were with you that day in Howe Sound. Please know that you are often in my thoughts.
In friendship,
Donna
Thank you for sharing this Nancy. I have good memories of you and Stephen sharing your cruising adventures at the BCA meetings and I also appreciated Stephen taking on the BCA commodore job, only a few years ago. I will think of Stephen when I sail over those waters.