Almost every boat on Vancouver Island, whether motor or sail, has a downrigger, rod holder, or other piece of marine equipment made by Scotty.
The 72-year-old company founded by husband-and-wife team Bayney and Almeda Scott in 1952, saw a need within the fishing industry to fabricate fishing lures and other marine products using new, space-age material plastic.
From their original 2,000-square-foot building in James Bay, the company relocated to a 90,000-square-foot facility in Sidney in 2000.
Through the years, Scotty has become a significant exporter of fishing, firefighting and outdoor products worldwide. The company has also made significant contributions to the enhancement of the salmon, trout and walleye stocks in the streams and creeks around the world through their Jordan/Scotty fish egg incubation units.
For their noteworthy contributions to B.C.’s maritime industry, Scotty Manufacturing Ltd. received a Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement along with five other British Columbians.
“Scotty Manufacturing Ltd. is very honoured to receive the 2024 Lieutenant Governor's award for Maritime Achievement,” says Eric Scott, vice-president of operations. “All of our products are built by our 100 hardworking staff. We appreciate this recognition of our past and current achievements and look forward to the future.”
The award, a collaboration between the Government House Foundation and the Maritime Museum of B.C. was presented to the recipients in a ceremony held on Tuesday (Nov. 26) at Government House in Victoria.
“I am honoured to celebrate the work and accomplishments of the recipients of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievements,” said Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin. “Given the scale of our province’s coastline, tremendous rivers and bountiful lakes, and the influence these have had on B.C.’s history, it is important to recognize those who continue to shape our maritime experiences and trades.”
Other recipients include Bent Jespersen, shipwright and expert in wooden boat building, repair and restoration at Jespersen Boat Builders; Billy Proctor, fisher, trapper, logger and author; Capt. Alex Rueben, a Royal Canadian Navy marine engineer for three decades; Dr. Marianne Scott, a prolific writer on the sea and marine topics; and Graham Scholes, author, art educator and mokuhanga (traditional Japanese woodblock print) artist best known for his landmark Lighthouse Series of prints of B.C. lighthouses.
In addition to acknowledging Indigenous and traditional practices as well as environmental stewardship, the award's scope guarantees diversity in the selection of nominees, recipients and award administration.
A unique award medallion featuring the artwork of Nusi Ian Reid, a member of the Heiltsuk Nation in Bella Bella, was awarded to each recipient.
