It started with a single tugboat.
Now, Mission’s Catherwood family finds itself on the way to the Fraser River Hall of Fame.
In a news release earlier in April, the Fraser River Discovery Centre Society (FRDCS) announced the induction of the family to the Hall of Fame in June due to their significant contributions to the economic vitality of the river.
Ernie Catherwood, 78, founded Catherwood Towing in 1971 and is still working as its president now. Before the business started, he worked for his father but they both needed a change.
“I said ‘I gotta do something different. This isn’t working for you and it sure isn’t working for me. And he agreed wholeheartedly,” Catherwood told the Mission Record.
Due to its potential in the area, his father suggested buying a tugboat weeks later. They drove into Vancouver and discovered the Sea Imp.
“I kind of figured that that was the answer to what I wanted,” Catherwood said.
He needed a $10,000 loan to purchase the Sea Imp vessel, but the Bank of Nova Scotia in Mission required a 25 per cent down payment. Catherwood’s mother was able to lend him the $2,500 to cover it.
Catherwood presented the cheque to the bank manager, who asked if he was sure about the loan.
“I didn’t say ‘I think so’. I just said, ‘yeah’,” Catherwood said.
Catherwood owned the Sea Imp about a month later and got to work. He says the early days were a struggle and compared it to farm work.
“Cows don’t give you any rest after six o’clock at night or four o’clock in the morning, and it’s the same with the tugboat if you’re busy. There’s too much work there for one crew, but not quite enough for two crews. Up until 1981, I would just call it a one-man band,” he said.
Now, Catherwood Towing boasts a fleet of 14 vessels. Catherwood didn’t imagine the company would grow to what it is today when he first purchased a boat.
“We’ve made some good contacts over the years and it’s a multi-million dollar business now,” Catherwood said.
Catherwood says he wasn’t nervous about expanding the company. He did it as he felt he could do it.
The company began to grow in 1986 when it built the state-of-the-art Sea Imp VIII. In 1988, the Sea Imp X hit the water.
Catherwood’s daughter Paula has been involved with the company since the mid-90s. She says it’s interesting working for a parent.
“I’ve worked closely with most of my family for most of my adult life. Lots of good times and some not always great. But, I feel very blessed in some ways to have been able to work with Dad,” she said.
Paula says she’s proud of the number of Missionites Catherwood Towing has employed.
The company currently has over 60 employees from throughout the Lower Mainland.
“Up until probably the early 2000s, a majority of his crew were from Mission,” she said,
Paula said it’s an honour to be among the individuals and companies that have been inducted into the Fraser River Hall of Fame over the years.
“Our family has had the privilege to live along the Fraser River for over 100 years and the river has played an integral part in the growth of our family. It has provided us with work, transportation, food, and recreation and for that we are grateful,” she said.
Up until a couple of months ago, Catherwood was able to slow down and take a more hands-off approach. However, internal changes brought him back to the company in a larger role once again.
“Here we are. Back in the driver’s seat,” Catherwood said.
In the future, Catherwood still hopes to enjoy a retirement. He and the rest of the family will be inducted into the Fraser River Hall of Fame on June 11 in Pitt Meadows.
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