History of SALTS

From one ship and a bold vision to over 50 years of transforming young lives at sea

Timeline

  • 1974

    Robertson II Purchased

    The Robertson II was purchased and sailed to Victoria, where innovative sail training programs began.

  • 1980

    Robertson II Donated Back

    The Robertson II was put up for auction but was purchased and donated back to the organization.

  • 1980-1984

    Major Rebuild of the Robertson II

    The Robertson II underwent a major four-year rebuilding project.

  • 1984-1985

    Spirit of Chemainus Constructed

    The Spirit of Chemainus was constructed and was later sold.

  • 1986

    Pacific Swift Constructed

    The Pacific Swift was constructed as a working exhibit at Expo 86 in Vancouver.

  • 1988-1989

    First Offshore Voyage

    The Pacific Swift completed its first offshore voyage.

  • 1989-1990

    Second Offshore Voyage

    SALTS completed its second offshore voyage.

  • 1991-1993

    Third Offshore Voyage

    SALTS completed its third offshore voyage.

  • 1994-1995

    Fourth Offshore Voyage

    SALTS completed its fourth offshore voyage.

  • 1995-2001

    Pacific Grace Constructed

    The Pacific Grace, a replica of the Robertson II, was constructed over a six-year period.

  • 2003-2004

    Fifth Offshore Voyage

    SALTS completed its fifth offshore voyage, which was also the maiden offshore voyage of the Pacific Grace.

  • 2007-2008

    Sixth Offshore Voyage

    SALTS completed its sixth offshore voyage.

  • 2012

    Facilities Relocated

    The SALTS office, shipyard, and marina were relocated.

  • 2015

    Bursary Program Expands

    Annual bursary funding surpassed $100,000. Trainees are selected by SALTS and as many as 14 partner organizations.

  • 2016

    Northern Routes Expanded

    Summer voyage routes expanded along the northern British Columbia coast, creating new relationships with Indigenous communities and opportunities to explore Indigenous history and culture.

  • 2016

    Royal Visit

    Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sailed with SALTS during their visit to Victoria.

  • 2017

    S.S. Beaver Medal Received

    SALTS received the S.S. Beaver Medal for Maritime Excellence from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia on behalf of the Maritime Museum of British Columbia.

  • 2020-2021

    Navigating the Global Pandemic

    SALTS endured the global pandemic, which shut down its programs for almost two years and required the organization to rebuild its client base in the years that followed.

Black fishing schooner named Robertson II docked beside a weathered waterfront building, with orange masts and rigging.
Black fishing schooner named Robertson II docked beside a weathered waterfront building, with orange masts and rigging.
Traditional two-masted schooner with white sails cruising on coastal waters near a forested shoreline
Traditional two-masted schooner with white sails cruising on coastal waters near a forested shoreline
The historic wooden boat Spirit of Chemainus launches into the water as a crowd watches at a marina.
The historic wooden boat Spirit of Chemainus launches into the water as a crowd watches at a marina.
Wooden boat named Pacific Swift under construction in a shipyard.
Wooden boat named Pacific Swift under construction in a shipyard.
Tall sailing ship with large white sails cruising across a sunlit ocean beneath a cloudy sky
Tall sailing ship with large white sails cruising across a sunlit ocean beneath a cloudy sky
Workers restoring the wooden hull of a large boat under construction
Workers restoring the wooden hull of a large boat under construction
Classic schooner sailing on blue ocean waters with white sails and a coastal shoreline in the background
Classic schooner sailing on blue ocean waters with white sails and a coastal shoreline in the background
Tall sailing ship with billowing sails and Canadian flag sailing across the ocean
Tall sailing ship with billowing sails and Canadian flag sailing across the ocean
Person climbing a ship's mast and rigging beneath a clear blue sky
Person climbing a ship's mast and rigging beneath a clear blue sky