A Vancouver Island filmmaker is turning the lens toward the people who keep British Columbia’s coastline running, in a new documentary series airing June 17. West Harbour Heroes follows Coast Guard crews, search-and-rescue teams, marine researchers, fisheries officers and others whose work often takes place far from public view but is essential to coastal communities across the province. At the centre of the project is Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Maxwel Hohn, best known for his work on Netflix’s Island of the Sea Wolves. Hohn spent more than 160 days filming across B.C. and other parts of Western Canada, capturing everything from helicopter operations and underwater research to remote coastal patrols. The result is a 10-episode series that aims to highlight not just the intensity of the work, but the people behind it. In a statement, Hohn said the idea grew from a long-standing desire to tell stories rooted in the coast he grew up exploring. “What struck me most wasn’t just the work these people do, it’s the pride they take in doing it,” Hohn said. “They simply cared deeply about the communities they serve and the coast they’re helping protect.” The production spanned multiple provinces, with crews working through complex logistics involving marine operations, aircraft support, Indigenous communities, wildlife and remote environments. The series also shines a light on Indigenous Guardian programs and First Nations stewardship efforts along the coast, exploring how traditional knowledge and modern science often work hand in hand. “For many of us, those experiences became some of the most meaningful parts of the series,” senior story producer Josh Deosaran said in a statement. While West Harbour Heroes includes high-stakes moments, the focus remains on everyday people doing often unseen work to protect and sustain life along the coast. The series premieres on USA Network and will stream in Canada on Crave.
