The Tancook Islands consist of two islands: Big Tancook Island and Little Tancook Island. They are situated 6 miles off the southern coast of Nova Scotia, near the town of Chester in Lunenburg County. Big Tancook Island is only 2.5 miles long and l.5 miles wide at its widest point. The islands are accessible by the daily passenger ferry from Chester. In 1829, thirty families of German colonists and French Huegenots established residency on the Tancooks. Today, Big Tankcook Island is populated by approximately 190 full-time residents, earning their livelihood almost exclusively as inshore fisherman and as ferry crew.