The world’s last two Martin Mars are operated by Coulson Flying Tankers based at Sproat Lake, near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. Built just as WWII came to end, the two Mars are highly effective fire fighting aircraft that have worked the BC coast since the late 1950s. Being the world’s last operational examples of the great flying boat era, the Mars attract attention everywhere.

In January, 2008, Hawaii Mars C-FLYL was based in Vancouver Harbour for the annual Truck Loggers convention held at Canada Place. The Mars flew daily wowing crowds with a water drop right in front of Canada Place attracting extensive media coverage.