The Rolano Runs Aground

We have an update on the Rolano grounding, which was moored in Gorge Harbour, Cortes Island for the past two years. In a high winds she was snagging boats at anchor in the west end of the harbor. The owner moved her to the south end where she languished at anchor until very recently. Sometime around February 9th, 2019, her anchor cable snapped and she ran aground on a local oyster lease.

When the Rolano went aground, Canadian Coast Guard and Spill response teams were alerted. (Photo from the Amanda Glickman, Harbour Authority of Cortes Island.)

The Nauticapedia says that the Rolano built by Gunter Ernst about 1940 at Gothborg Sweden. She was 72’ x 21’ x 10’ (21.88m x 6.25m x 2.56m) steel–hulled. Dirk Septer has written an account of her life in The Nauticapedia see The Rolano – A Second World War Kriegsfishkutter (War Fish Cutter) vessel

The Rolano was towed off on February 11th. She was then towed to Campbell River, and, we were told, later on to Ladysmith BC. (Photo from the Amanda Glickman, Harbour Authority of Cortes Island.)

The Nauticapedia says that the Rolano had several owners over the years. In 1945 she was owned by Swedish interests. In 1956 she was owned by German interests. In 1978 she was owned by Heinz W. Strehlow, Port Alberni BC. In 1979 she was owned by Albert V. Galbraith, Fulford Harbour BC. In 1980–1984 she was owned by Cram Marine Enterprises Ltd., Fulford Harbour BC. In 1985–1986 she was owned by Grant Adlington, Squamish BC. In 1987 she was owned by Christine L. Waddington, Pitt Meadows BC. In 1988–1993 she was owned by Ralph B. Hull, Cowichan Bay BC. In 1994–2019 she was owned by 430980 B.C. Ltd., Sooke BC.

She was rigged as a gaff–rigged topsail schooner. She operated as a trawler out of Cuxhaven Germany 1956–1977. In 1977 she was brought to Port Alberni BC operating as a fish packer, towing and diver tender.