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 [1] published in Currents, which reminds us of his rich life and deep connections to the boating community.