Our Vessel
Our trusty vessel is named Maquinna Point. She is a 36 ft sloop 1969 Columbia with a fibreglass hull.
Film Photo by Tanisha Nuttall
Chief Maquinna was the leader of the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples of Nootka Sound on what we now know as Vancouver Island. In 1778, the British explorer Captain James Cook made first contact with Chief Maquinna in a coastal village called Yuquot. This contact marked the beginning of an illustrious trading relationship with the Europeans. Maquinna Point is a land form in Nootka Sound where most of these trade relations occurred.
The fur trade was highly profitable for all parties, however, greater profits also meant more desire for power. Peaceful treaties were eventually warped and revised to primarily suit the interests of the Europeans. In the centuries to come, the unfolding of a long and tumultuous relationship between the Europeans and the Indigenous peoples ensued.
We are still living in the “wake” of Captain Cook’s first contact with Chief Maquinna of Nootka Sound.
Film Photo by Cassidy Miller
Our Story
Captain Holley Miller
Holley is a courageous young sailor with a bright spirit and a hunger for bold adventures. She has been sailing consistently for the last 3 years, with most of her experience coming from sail racing. Some of her longer journeys have included offshore sailing near Hawaii, completing the Van Isle 360, and cruising from Victoria to Desolation Sound. Since buying Maquinna, she has been learning about diesel mechanics, electrical systems, solar power, and how to lead her own crew.
For many years Holley felt called to sail the open ocean. Sailing down the coast of North America seemed to be just the challenge she was looking for. Despite facing doubts from many onlookers, she worked rigorously to prepare herself and her boat, determined to manifest her dream.
On August 22nd 2023 Holley and her crew set sail from Victoria, Canada to begin the voyage South along the West coast of North America.
Cassidy Miller
Cassidy discovered her love for sailing on her first voyage aboard Maquinna to Desolation Sound. Ever since then she made it a priority to join as many sailing trips as she could to gain more experience on the water. She loves the meditative aspects of sailing and finds that it makes her feel at one with the rhythms of the wind and sea.
In the late months of 2022 under a full moon and starry sky, Holley asked Cassidy to be her First Mate on the trip to South America. It was a magical moment and she knew almost immediately that she would accompany her sister on the journey, despite her nervousness about offshore sailing. In the months following, she began learning as much as she could about marine navigation, nautical charts, and sailboats.
On August 22nd 2023, Cassidy set sail with Holley and two other crew members from Victoria, Canada.
Sisters on the sea
Both sisters see this trip as a co–creative adventure and a challenge to test the strength of their skills, willpower, and spirit.
