It was a proud day for the Canadian Coast Guard and the Nuu-chah-nulth nations as the newest Coast Guard Ship was dedicated in memory of Ditidaht Ha’wilth Toot apoolth, retired CCG seaman.
Sheila Charles was all smiles as she smashed a bottle of champagne over the bow of the newly-christened M. Charles M.B., which was named after her grandfather, Martin Charles. Her father Clifford Charles, also a retired Coast Guard seaman, stood nearby with the rest of the family, beaming with pride.
Hundreds attended the Canadian Coast Guard dedication ceremony held May 20 at Port Alberni’s Centennial Pier. They were there to see the latest addition to the Canadian Coast Guard Fleet, the CCGS M. Charles M.B.
The late Martin Charles was a highly respected man and it showed in the numbers of people who came to celebrate the dedication of the newest Hero Class Mid-shore Patrol Vessel.
According to Clifford, who served in the Coast Guard for nearly four decades, Martin had roots in Uchucklesaht through his uncle, Percy Jackson. Martin was adopted as a child into a Ditidaht chief’s family and he remained there for the rest of his life.
Martin served in the Canadian Coast guard for 32 years and was based in Bamfield. On Feb. 29, 1976 he and his crew were called to a fishing vessel in distress and managed to reach two of the crewmen aboard the doomed boat.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescued a third survivor stranded high on a rock so the Canadian Coast Guard vessel headed for shore with its two survivors.
But the winds were fierce and the American helicopter crashed into the sea. Martin Charles and his crew, including his young son Clifford, turned around and headed back into the storm to look for survivors.
In the end, the Canadian Coast Guard saved three of the four fishermen and all of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew. The captain of the fishing boat was lost at sea.
Seaman Martin Charles was awarded the Medal of Bravery for his heroics from the Government of Canada and another Medal of Bravery from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Starting in 2009, the Government of Canada began upgrading its Coast Guard fleet with several new vessels. The CCGS M. Charles M.B. is one of nine new Hero Class vessels joining the fleet.
The Hero Class vessels are named after decorated soldiers, veterans, police officers, DFO employees and Canadian Coast Guard staff.
The 43-metre M. Charles M.B. (M.B. stands for Medal of Bravery) will be based in Sydney, B.C. and will be used to support DFO Conservation and Protection programs, as well as Search and Rescue support on the west coast of Canada.
The Charles family was guest of honor at the dedication ceremony and hundreds gathered around to witness the historic moment.
Clifford Charles, Uchucklesaht Tyee Ha’wilth, sat with his wife Rose and other immediate family with other dignitaries under a shade tent as dozens of Coast Guard crew members stood at attention in full uniform under the blazing sun.
Representatives of both Tseshaht and Hupacasath welcomed people to their traditional territories to take part in the event and Robert Watts performed a prayer chant. He said the prayer chant was not only for the people and the event, but also a prayer asking the Creator to protect the ship which carries the name of a respected ancestor and for safe journeys for all who travel aboard her in the future.
The Ditidaht then led a cleansing ceremony that included drummers, dancers and Ha’wiih. The Ha’wiih stood with the drummers as female dancers brushed the ship with cedar branches.
Phillip Edgar said he was honored to be there to celebrate his late relative and all the good things he brought for the people. He was pleased to see the beautiful new vessel named for Martin, which will carry on the legacy of bringing good for the people.
Senator Nancy Green Raine spoke on behalf of Gail Shea, minister of Fisheries and Oceans, who couldn’t attend the event.
She congratulated the Canadian Coast Guard on their newest addition to the fleet on behalf of the Government of Canada.
She said the new ship is a symbol of safety, security and sacrifice. “Naming it after Martin Charles is fitting,” said Green Raine.
Ditidaht Chief Jack Thompson spoke with pride about his friend, Martin Charles, who lived at Nitinaht Lake for many years.
“He was soft-spoken and never boasted, not even about his heroic acts,” Thompson shared.
Following Martin’s retirement from the Coast Guard he filled his days teaching school children their Ditidaht language and held prayer services at his home every Sunday. He helped Ditidaht document the place names of their traditional territories.
Benson Nookemis, Huu-ay-aht Ha’wilth and fisherman, said Charles was his brother-in-law. Nookemis recalled a time when he broke down off shore during a fishing trip. “I needed help so I called the Coast Guard,” he recalled. Hours later Nookemis said his brother-in-law and crew came to his rescue and towed him back into the harbour.
Clifford Charles called upon Clay Evans, former Officer in Charge at Canada Coast Guard Bamfield station, to accept a carved paddled. Charles thanked Evans for being the one to submit Martin Charles’ name when the Canadian Coast Guard was looking for names for its new ships.
Evans is now the Superintendent of Marine Search and Rescue for the CCG.
Clifford thanked everyone for coming to honor his father. “In his 32 years in the Coast Guard it is not known how many lives he saved,” said Charles, adding that his father braved many missions in gale and hurricane force winds to save lives.
“But when he was along with us, we knew everything would be okay,” said Charles, whose service in the CCG overlapped his fathers.
“This has been one of the best years of my life for me and my family, to have my father remembered as a hero as well as being remembered for the great man that he was, and I want to say that in the most highest way,” said Charles.
“I appreciate the Canadian government for what they’ve done; it was a great honor,” said Clifford Charles.
