When Denise Savoie goes kayaking around Vancouver Island, she often radios ahead to lightkeepers to check water conditions.

“They sure have helped me and friends I’ve been with make good decisions to stay off the water by giving good, accurate information,” Savoie said.

The Victoria MP has been kayaking for 15 years and said lightkeepers stationed at lighthouses such as Estevan Point and Nootka Sound provide a valuable service.

“You’re not just getting the weather from Vancouver,” she said, “you’ve got someone who’s actually looking at what’s happening.”