Ken Butler was hired Nov. 15, 1988 as Project Manager for the Moyie. At the time the Moyie was in dire shape due to the effect of the elements over the years. The hull was sagging between the cribs, the planks on the foredeck had rotted, canvas had ripped and moisture was working into the deck and bulkheads. The KLHS had launched a Save Our Ship (SOS) campaign to raise funds to do repairs and restoration.

Ken Butler turned out to be the perfect candidate for the position. With years of experience in construction and engineering, he approached the task at hand with gusto and leadership. The impact of Ken Butler is seen everywhere on the Moyie site. To list all the restoration activities undertaken during his tenure would fill numerous pages, so we will revisit only some of them.

The first phase under Ken was Stabilization. A steel support cradle was built and installed to prop up the Moyie and protect her hull against rot. A fire sprinkler system was put in place. Next was Preservation: new canvas decks were laid down, repairs were made to the hull elements and boiler supports, and two lifeboats were refurbished. In July 1989 the Moyie was declared a British Columbia Historical Landmark. Then a new Visitor's Reception Centre based on a CPR station was constructed, as were washroom facilities for local beach users, and a wheelchair accessible wharf and walkway. Next were such interpretative elements as the interior of the ladies' saloon, the foredeck, the transom, boat deck handrail, the galley, the staterooms, the men's saloon bar, an after-hours information kiosk, interpretative street signage and many other projects.

Ken was a leading light in the time of the Moyie's return to the elegance of her glory days as the "Sweetheart of the Lake". He, like many others before and since, truly "bonded with the boat". His love of the Moyie insures that she will be enjoyed by generations to come.

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