• Social

Team

Each year, members of the BC Coast Pilots elect an executive team who works with the general manager and staff to set and carry out the organization’s priorities. This year, the elected representatives of the BCCP are:
President: Captain Jake Spink
Vice-President: Captain Steve Kennedy
Director: Captain Ron Carey
Director: Captain Dean Nelson
Director: Captain Stephen Gillett
Captain Jake Spink
BC Coast Pilots President

Captain Jake Spink

BC Coast Pilots President

Captain John (Jake) Spink grew up on the East Coast of Scotland descending from a long line of fishing families going back centuries, as he states "it was only natural to start a fishing career at a young age".  After visiting British Columbia and seeing the beauty of the Coast, he decided to change from fishing the North Sea to fishing in the Pacific in 1983.  Jake explains that he reluctantly ended up being an owner/operator of various fishing vessels over the years with any spare time being spent relieving for different companies around the entire BC Coast, gaining valuable experience and upgrading various certificates as his sea time would permit.  Captain Spink takes great pride in being part of a company that protects our environment while providing safety and economic benefits for all Canadians!


Captain Steve Kennedy
BC Coast Pilots Vice President

Captain Steve Kennedy

BC Coast Pilots Vice President

Born and raised on the BC Coast, Captain Steve Kennedy has dedicated his life to the sea. After graduating, Steve honed his skills working on trawlers, research vessels and buoy tenders, navigating the waters from the Arctic to the Caribbean. With over 24 years of experience, Steve then took on the role of Pilot, drawing on his deep knowledge of the coastline to guide ships safely through the coastal waters of British Columbia. Currently serving his second term as Vice President, Steve is committed to collaborating with government, industry, and First Nations to tackle the complex challenges facing the region.

"Safeguarding the waters of BC is our responsibility"
– Captain Robin Stewart
"Piloting makes a difference to the people and the environment of Canada every day.
It is that responsibility that, for me, makes piloting an extremely rewarding career."
– Roy Haakonson
Captain Ron Carey
BC Coast Pilots Director

Captain Ron Carey

BC Coast Pilots Director

Captain Ronald Carey grew up in Prince Rupert, BC, and lived most summers on a float house in Iceberg Bay north of Prince Rupert, beach combing logs and towing small barges with his father on the family's small tug.  After a childhood on the water, he tried various other jobs ashore, but found his heart and soul to be on the water!  Ron spent years hand logging, tow boating and fishing on the north coast, gaining sea time before acquiring certificates and gaining valuable coastal knowledge and experience by working for various tow boat companies on the south coast.  Captain Carey is very proud to be a part of The BC Coast Pilots, a Company involved with protecting the Coast and environment, while providing safety, reliance and economic solutions and benefits for all of BC and Canada.
"I started my marine career on a tugboat when I was 15. Everyone starts somewhere, and it’s not all at the same place."
– Steve Stangroom
Captain Dean Nelson
BC Coast Pilots Director

Captain Dean Nelson

BC Coast Pilots Director

Check back for an update on Capt. Nelson's bio!
"I have always been drawn to the ocean. I love that I have a job protecting the natural environment I have grown to respect so much."
– Peter Koehle
Captain Stephen Gillett
BC Coast Pilots Director

Captain Stephen Gillett

BC Coast Pilots Director

From a young age Capt. Gillett was exposed to working on the water on the shores of North Vancouver riding on the dozer boats where his grandfather ran twin creeks sorting grounds, and in the summers working on a tugboat with his father who was a Captain.  Stephen soon realized that the marine industry was the path he wanted to pursue!  After graduating from high school, Capt. Gillett started working on the River towing logs and shortly after moved on to Island Tug and Barge.  Stephen quickly moved up the ranks from deckhand to Mate and then to Captain with one goal in mind...having been fortunate to have had extensive coverage all over the Coast, the Pilots seemed like a natural fit.  Capt. Gillett takes a great deal of pride every day being a BC Coast Pilot and he takes the responsibility seriously.  Stephen is excited about his new role as a Director helping the Company maintain our role as industry leaders on our Coast!
"When I started on a commercial fishing vessel as a teenager and heard about a career in pilotage, I didn’t know how far I could go. Ask me to tell you a story"
– Brad Taipalus