Note also: A dedicated Coastal Messenger Page is found from the Home Page index

1994 The wooden Coastal Messenger was painted jade green, sold August 17, and named back to her original name, D. M. MacKay. The name "Coastal Messenger" was retained to be used on the new steel vessel. And by then, design was complete.

Brian Burkholder and Vic Hookins went to Calgary AB to assist fabrication of the aluminum pilothouse (work done by Joshua Enterprise). That part was delivered by flatbed to the Coastal Missions shop in Chemainus BC December 20.

1995. Steel was ordered and Jenkins Marine Ltd. began construction of the hull in Victoria BC in January.

Orders were placed for doors, windows, hatches, and port lights from suppliers in Mukilteo WA and Gold Beach OR .

Meanwhile, and working from blueprints, various constructions continued in Coastal Missions' own shop. Engine and reduction gear was tested on the shop floor along with various pieces of hydraulic equipment.

Jim Fullerton, retired pattern maker, began making a ship's wheel in his own shop in Duncan BC.

Financial records were kept as usual for Coastal Missions and separately for the ship building project.

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Hull Steel Construction

Windows in pilot house

Victor Hookins admires Rolls Royce marine diesel engine

Completed ship's wheel

Progress was made toward the building of the new mission vessel and in 1996, the pilothouse was transported from Chemainus and joined to the hull in Victoria.

By year's end, all steel fabrication and the aluminum four-legged mast was complete. Gray protective coatings gave the vessel a "government" look.

Extra effort was made to keep in contact with those known on the coast. But it also worked the other way: Many reasoned, "You've always come to visit us, now that you are building a new boat, it's our turn to come and visit you."

Coastal Missions received nearly 300 cards and letters during the Christmas season. Anne Burkholder's father died in June. Gloria Troll's father died in September.

With gray epoxy coating

Vessel construction details continued all through 1997. Propulsion engine, AC generator, and batteries were installed in March. Compartments were insulated, paneled, painted and fitted out by year's end. Exterior cosmetic painting was completed in September. Vessel's Certificate of Registry was received before Christmas. Two Open Boat receptions were held on the vessel where she sat straight and level on blocks.

There was much letter writing during that year. Postage amounted to $3590.

Coastal Missions attended, conducted, or took part in church services, Sunday school gatherings, ladies' meetings, meetings at care homes, funeral services, weddings, anniversary celebrations. Gloria traveled to Terrace, BC in August to attend the wedding of a young missionary who was a little girl when the crew first met her in Bella Bella in 1983.

Beside Jenkins Marine building

In 1998, besides working hard to complete all new vessel details, there were as in 1997 engagements of every sort (including more than 40 funerals). Visitors came from as far away as England, Holland, and Japan. Jon Peterson and family came from California on their sailing vessel Redemption.

Three persons, all close to Coastal Missions, died during the year - John Woodford, Jack Noel, and Maisie Davis.

By the middle of the summer the new Coastal Messenger was nearly complete in every way yet stopped for need of money. Then in August, a big donation was received and everything was finished and the ship was launched September 10. Survey for ship's insurance noted "no deficiencies." (almost unheard of in marine surveys).

New Coastal Messenger coming home

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