Key Personnel
Covey Island Boatworks is the marketing name for Lunenburg County Shipwrights Incorporated. The company is run by three directors: two managing directors and a third director nominated by employees for a two-year term. Most employees have a financial interest in the company.
John Steele, Director and President
A boatbuilder since his school days, John was one of the original Covey Island partners when the yard was established in 1979. He was voted Entrepreneur of the Year by the Bridgewater & Area Chamber of Commerce in 1994. Independently, he has built a 56' cruising schooner, prototype for a Bristol Schooner design, which was launched by John, his family, and many friends in 2005. One inspiration for the project is his years of experience at Covey Island building custom vessels with traditional styling. The other is a year-long sabbatical spent sailing in the Caribbean, Ireland and England with his family on 53' Marguerite T, an original (1893) Bristol Channel pilot cutter they owned and restored.
Colin O'Toole, Director and Supervisor
Colin has never been far from a shoreline or from boats. He was born in St. John's, where many of his relatives have been boatbuilders, and grew up in Lunenburg and other coastal towns in Lunenburg County. His father was a fisherman who worked on boats ranging from coast guard vessels to big factory freezers. Colin's earliest training as a shipwright was helping his father repair little duck hunting boats. He's been with Covey Island since he graduated from the two-year boatbuilding course at the Community College in Bridgewater in 1984. He became a partner in the yard in 1993. Independently, Colin builds small wood/epoxy pleasure boats in the 8' to 20' range as well as "the odd piece of furniture."
About Covey Island Boatworks he says, "I've liked being part of the development of such a unique company over the years. The best part is that you can see the results of your work and hear positive comments about a boat years after it was built."
Brock Junkin, Shareholder
Brock is a Certified Management Accountant and community development consultant, currently based in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He served as a Director of the company for many years.
Jeff Robar, Director
Jeff Robar, a shipwright, has been with Covey Island Boatworks for eight years. He is employee representative for 2007-2008.