Captain Brian Silvester MM FNI

Brian Silvester was born into a sea-faring family. As a youth he fished the North Sea with his father in a Grimsby trawler. At the age of 16 he left home and apprenticed as a ship’s officer in the Merchant Navy receiving his Master Foreign-Going (Master Mariner) Certificate of Competency in 1963. The following year he took the examination of competency for Extra Master, something few in his field have done. Brian shipped around the world in the Merchant Navy working aboard tankers, container ships, cargo ships, and bulk carriers. He also worked for the Canadian Coastguard in the weather ships, search and rescue cutters, and the hovercraft unit. After 20 years at sea he stepped ashore and took a job as coordinator and instructor of Nautical Training at Camosun College, a position he held for 28 years. After retirement he did consulting work in the industry and eventually formed a partnership with Capt. Bob Kitching offering marine training at the Western Maritime Academy. Brian’s hobby was sailing and he spent years cruising the pacific coast of Canada and the Americas.

He was a graduate of the School of Public Sector Management at the University of Victoria, a founding member and past chairperson of the British Columbia branch of the Nautical Institute, the leading international organization for maritime professionals, and a founding member, director, and past secretary/treasurer of the Nautical Professional Education Society of Canada. In recognition for his service to the marine industry Brian was honoured with a Fellowship in the Nautical Institute.

Brian was an officer and a gentleman and a man of integrity. He was passionate about marine education and training and was often referred to by his students and colleagues as “the living legend.” For his family, he was our anchor; steadfast and uniquely calming and reassuring. With his whole heart he cherished each one of us. He leaves behind his beloved wife Cathy Converse, his children Paula (John) Mooney, Andy (Jen) Silvester, Christina Kess, his sister Wendy (Geoff) Elson, his grandchildren Michael Mooney and Lt(N) Matthew Mooney, Caitlyn and Sam Silvester, Malcolm and Max Caldwell, and his great-granddaughter Nadine Silvester.

Due to COVID restrictions there will be no funeral, however, Brian requested that the “The Naval Hymn,” be played “very loudly,” preferably while sipping a snifter of single malt scotch. Condolences may be left at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com. A bursary has been set up in Capt. Brian Silvester’s name to be awarded to exemplary student’s studying nautical training in British Columbia. Contact the Nautical Professional Educational Society of Canada at www.npesc.ca