Installation of MAPS2 Automatic Weather Observing (AWOS) Station on Sartine Island, BC

The Story (by John Yarema):

Automatic Weather Observing Station (AWOS) Still Operating 42 years Later

This AWOS was fairly recently in the BC news reporting winds during a storm.   I think peak wind was above 100 kph.   There was damage to a lot of power lines in BC.

I'm sure today's version has more modern technology and is much safer too. We long lined the logs, lumber and even a small pre-made white fibreglass shed / shelter. We had no idea what to do below a hovering, very noisy, windy helicopter! The pilot looking out the door for our signals / guidance as to where to put the thing!   I can't believe that we actually did it.

Dave Watson and I installed about five of those MAPS2's that summer. Solander Island off Brooks Pennisula where we saw orca's feeding on salmon. Lawn Point, not far from Estevan Lighthouse where the helicopter chased a bear away from our site, (we hoped he/she would not come back after the copter left!), and Herbert Island in Johnston Strait not far from Cape Mudge Lighthouse.   We heard the Cape Mudge Lighthouse fog horns go off, could see the fog rolling towards us, looked for our survival gear, which I guess we forgot to load.   We radioed the helicopter pilot in panic, he dropped the load of lumber on the long line into the sea, and got to us quickly just as the fog rolled in and out. Amazing that we survived some of these stories!

The cardboard box probably held the tower base plate, and you can just see another pad in the background that probably was a base for the anemometer tower.

The fun part for me was helicoptering around the coast looking for good spots, after PWC gave us some general idea of where they thought they need wind info.

Installation of * MAPS2 Automatic Weather Observing (AWOS) Station on Sartine Island, BC - September 1984