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COMMANDER'S
REMARKS
|
Well, the summer seems to have gone
and the rainy days are now more frequent. Now it is back to fall
Boating courses, doing our homework and making our way to the school in
the dark evenings. We still
have our memories though, of the Fall Fair, the Otter Bay Rendezvous
and the many sunny hot days we spent on the water. |
Speaking of the Fall Fair, again
this year under the guidance of our very able Events Coordinators, Rich
and Steve, whose imagination is second to none, they came up with
another production for the Parade which was the highlight of the Fair.
The theme was “the Boatcracker Suite” and our slogan was: Don’t
Let Your Boating Dreams Turn Into Nightmares”. In this Newsletter you
can read all about the characters who so masterfully and gracefully
played the parts, but first and foremost we have to thank all the
participants who put in their time and efforts to make it a reality.
Rich and Steve, the producers and directors; Helen Lemon-Moore, the
dreaming woman; Julie Lywood, Elizabeth Wilkes and Fran Rose, the
graceful dancers; Roger Pilkington, the magical float builder; Richard
(again) controlling the music; the three South Pender Scary Sirens:
John Cowan, pulled down by his own anchor; Bev Gerry, always a parade
highlight; and a bevy of youngsters directed by Joyce Davis, which
included Evan, Jasmine and newcomers Laura and Sidra.
Past Commanders Jerry Moore and Frank Weniger led the float. Thanks to
everybody—you all made it an outstanding performance.
Remember
our mission: We are a dedicated group of volunteers interested
in increasing safety and pleasure on the waterways through education.
Cdr Nick Samsom
NOTECARD
ENTRIES FROM OUR SQUADRON
Most of you know that
Evan, the son of 2 well known Pender Island Power and Sail Squadron
members, has been a frequent entrant in the CPS national Boatwise
Bookmark then Notecard contests held annually for children and
grandchildren of CPS members. This year, we welcome another
participant,
Skyla, a granddaughter of TO Elizabeth Wilkes. It is too early to say
yet whether either of these notecard entries will be prize winners.
The CPS web site is silent on the Boatwise contest this year, so our
artists are entering the Paintings and Drawings, Division of Visual
Arts category which seems to be open to all age groups. The judging
will be done at the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron National
Conference, to be held October 25-28 in Vancouver. We wish Skyla
and Evan good luck with their clever and colourful entries!
Skyla's entry
Evan's entry
TWO
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DISTRICT COMMANDER SHIRLEY
HAMILTON
Marine Reporting
Program – MAREP
Dear Members:
On September 10th 2006 I was invited to take part in a VISD-CHS MAREP
Orientation Cruise organized by VISD MAREP Officer D/Lt Len Burton (SP)
in cooperation with Canadian Hydrographic Services (CHS) Dave Jackson,
who is a multidisciplinary hydrographer doing field surveys. The MAREP
program of old has been replaced with a new direction and scope under
the administration of Len Burton. Len has revitalized it with his own
enthusiasm, energy and ideas.
 |
 |
Figment Too, owned by Ron Harris and Janice Hayward (SP)
with Janice at the helm, left Tsehum Harbor boat
basin. Also
on
board were Dave Jackson (CHS), and Kathryn
McDougall (SP) and myself, D/C Shirley Hamilton. |
A second boat,
Veleda V, departed Westport Marina. Owned
by Don and Sheryl Armstrong (SP), with Len
Burton, Craig
Lessels (CHS) and friend Natalie, Pacific
Mainland
District MAREP Officer, D/Lt
Shirley Shae, and
Elizabeth Wilkes (PI) onboard. This
completed our small flotilla.
|
After checking out a dock under construction in Tsehum Harbour, Veleda V proceeded through John
Passage, joining Figment Too
at Hood Island.
Figment Too headed east from
Tsehum Harbour, turning north and around the Little Group, past Coal
Island heading north to Portland Island, stopping at the site of the
sunken vessel GB Church just
southeast of Hood Island. GB Church
is a recreational dive site, and chart 3441 shows that there are four
buoys marking the site. However on inspection we found that there
were none of the identified buoys at the site as shown on the
chart. There were however two poly white floating can buoys
marking the bow and stern of the sunken vessel. It was also observed
that they served as mooring buoys, and were in use by two boats with
divers down. Dave Jackson instructed us on how to make out this type of
report in full; how and when to make a proper approach to the site, the
value of using the new forms which have helpful information on the
reverse and examples of buoy markers for proper identification. We made
a drawing of the buoys, added other personal notes and recommendations
for marking the site; entered in full our personal contact information,
the date and time stating it as being either Pacific Standard, Daylight
Standard, Greenwich Mean Time; the Lat and Long and equipment used to
obtain it; the chart we used with the year of it’s edition. Thus our first MAREP was made.
Now through Moresby Passage and around the back of Portland Island and
over to Russell Island just north east of the entrance to Fulford
Harbour, Saltspring Island. We were to inspect Cecil Reef on the east
side of Russell for depth. Here was an exercise in datum and more
observations made with Tidal Charts for the day.
Around to the north side of Russell Island we inspected an undocumented
mooring and anchoring site. We used the depth sounder and lead line to
ascertain the bottom was mud and good for anchoring; described the
shoreline and surroundings for land access, and determined the
direction of strongest winds. All this information would be an addition
to Sailing Directions. MAREP number two.
Moving on we entered Fulford Harbour, noting anything that would
update the information for Sailing
Directions. We stopped at the public
wharf at the ferry dock. We had lunch, but even that was an exercise of
observation as we each noted in detail the facilities both off shore
and on shore that visitors might need. Anchoring with road access
on the west shore; what the village had to offer—gas dock, public
telephones, general store, etc. MAREP
number three.
With lunch and conversation over we headed back home, waiting for the
five BC Ferries to move steadily out of our way, having had been out
some six hours in the best of weather. We had fun, learned something of
value, and of greater importance contributed information that would
update the charts and Sailing
Directions that we would someday use.
As a CPS member you can also be a part of this very important MAREP
program. As boaters you are out in our waters enjoying your
boats, observing changes that are taking place at marinas, or other
facilities that boaters use. These types of change are good updates for
Sailing Directions. Did
you find that your latest or updated chart was in error or did not
include your observations or hazards to shipping? Here is a good
MAREP to report. It may result in a correction or update to a
chart, or an addition or repositioning of a buoy.
Onboard Veleda V, PMD MAREP D/Lt Shirley
Shae
and Pender Is TO Lt/Cdr Elizabeth Wilkes
D/Lt Len Burton can coordinate the MAREP reports for you. He also
requires MAREP Officers at the Squadron level to help in administrating
this program. Could you be that person?
Contact your Squadron
Commander (commanderpipas at cablelan dot net) or Len (marep at visd dot org) or
(250) 656-6450 to volunteer as a MAREP Officer.
Whether you are a member submitting reports, or become a MAREP Officer,
you will find it an interesting and rewarding way to support VISD and
your boating community.
Boating
Safety Specialist program (BSS) – Pleasure Craft Courtesy Checks (PCCC)
in B.C.
Dear Members:
Recently CPS P/C/C Tony Gardiner enquired of the District Commanders of
Pacific Mainland, Western Canada Inland (BC Interior), Vancouver Island
North and Vancouver Island South, whether they would support the
establishment of the Boating Safety Specialist program (BSS) – Pleasure
Craft Courtesy Checks (PCCC) in B.C.
To give you some background, in the summer
of 2005, the CPS Squadrons in the Province
of Ontario conducted a trial run of this volunteer program. CPS
members working under Transport Canada augmented the Canadian Coast
Guard Auxiliary volunteers to offer Boat Safety Checks at marinas and
boat ramps etc. In November 2005 TC and CPS entered into a Memorandum
of Understanding. In 2006 the program was a reality in Ontario,
and it proved to be a successful and valuable way to get out the
message of boating safety while at the same time advertising CPS and
it’s courses to the boating public.
A brief outline of the program follows:
There is no management or funding coming from CPS-ECP or it’s
squadrons. The program is managed and funded solely by Transport
Canada who
will:
Recruit volunteers from CPS-ECP
Screen with Canadian
Police Information Centre (2.)
Training is with an 8 hour, one-day session, on all aspects of the
program
Transport Canada will supply forms, decals, picture ID and clothing
Tasking – the volunteer may do the checks at his/her leisure, with a
minimum of 5 checks, each of which takes an average
45 minutes.
Productivity is monitored
Rewards for production through gift items
Dismissal can be for reasons of lack of productivity or other breaches
of the program.
The volunteer is NOT a policeman. The volunteer is offering a
Safe Boating Check to promote safe boating practices. The form
used will not link the requested information to a specific vessel or
owner. It will be linked to the volunteer for tracking purposes
for productivity and the area of the survey. The overall goal is
to inform TC through the answers from the questionnaire as to which
boating safety practices need to be reinforced in public boating safety
initiatives.
VISD has, with consensus from its squadrons, said that we will support
the Boating Safety Specialist program. If the support from the
other Districts in B.C. is positive, then this program will start with
the 2007 boating season.
In preparation and support for this worthwhile program, I would ask you
to give some serious thought to becoming a volunteer. Not all
members feel confident about teaching in a classroom. You may
find that direct contact with the public in a friendly manner, through
a mutual interest, while they are aboard their own boat may be more
suitable and enjoyable for you.
It is too early to say if this program will become a reality, but if
you have any interest in it, you can forward your questions or desire
to become a volunteer to
districtcommander@visd.org, or
telephone me
at (250) 658-6366.
Yours in safe boating
D/C Shirley Hamilton, SN VISD
ENVIRONMENT
On July 24, MP James Moore,
Parliamentary Secretary for the Pacific Gateway, announced new regulations
(3.) by the Conservative Government that will protect
Canada's coastal waters from sewage, garbage, oil and other pollutants.
Among the regulations is a complete ban on the dumping of untreated
sewage from all boats and ships along Canada's coastal waters. As of
September 17, there has been no announcement from Transport Canada
about when the regulations will be incorporated in the Canada Shipping
Act. However, there are similar provisions already in force in some of
British Columbia's interior lakes. See the Pleasure
Craft Sewage Pollution Prevention Regulations,(4.)
which currently are applicable to pleasure boats sailing in Shuswap,
Mara and Okanagan Lakes.
Lt John Cowan
UPCOMING EVENTS
CPS National Conference (5.)
WHEN: October 25-28, 2006
WHERE: Vancouver, at Marriott Vancouver
Pinnacle Hotel
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The
early registration deadline has passed and reduced rate conference
hotel rooms are fully booked, but it is still not too late to attend
the
conference. Alternate accommodation is available.
Wine
Tasting/Appetizer Potluck
WHEN: Friday, October
20, 6:00 pm
WHERE: Morning Bay Winery
Christmas Party
WHEN: Tentatively on Wednesday, December 13
(Watch your e-mail and the Pender Post for confirmation of date and
place.)
WHERE: Probably at Keith and Orlene Lacey's home
EXECUTIVE
OFFICER'S REPORT
Once
again this year our
Executive Officer, Nancy Coutts, is accepting nominations for the
Kaptain Krunch Award. Any boating
misadventures, odd incidents or faux pas committed in 2006 by you or
your fellow Pender Island Power Squadron members are potential
"winners"! The Kaptain
Krunch Award will be awarded
at the Annual
Christmas Potluck Party in December.
You may nominate yourself, as well as other CPS boaters. Be
sure to note the details such as date, place and specifics if you see
someone make a goof, and then give Nancy a call at 6188 or send an
email to kandncoutts at cablelan dot net, to tell her all about it. She
needs to hear from you by the first week of December. All sources
of information are, of course, confidential!
Lt/C
Nancy Coutts
MARITIME
VHF RADIO NEWS
If you hold
ROC(M) certification, please note that PRC05-1, the list of VHF
channels and frequencies used on the west coast, is no longer being
published by Industry Canada. If you have lost your copy, please
contact Tony Merry, 629-6767 for a replacement.
P/Cdr Tony Merry
OUR 2006 FALL FAIR PARADE
ENTRY, THE BOATCRACKER SUITE
Once again, our events co-ordinators, Rich Fox and Steve Fisher came up
with a hilarious boating safety theme for the parade. A Boating student
(Helen Lemon-Moore) is pleasantly dreaming in a bed while mellow music
is playing. Three
women dreamers in filmy garb and one guy in a grass skirt are dancing
around the bed blowing bubbles. Then, all of a sudden
the Jaws theme music
starts, and a bevy of nightmarish characters encircle the sleeping
person who awakes in a fright, gets out of bed and is harassed by the
characters. The dreamers are scared off to the front of the lead
vehicle and give out lollypops to some of the parade watchers. Soon,
after a scuffle, the sleeper is rescued by Commander Nick Samsom who
presents her with a giant Pleasure Craft Operator Card, causing the
nightmare characters to retreat in disarray. The sleeper gets back into
bed, the dreamers rejoin her and the dreamlike music resumes as the
float
continues down the road.
If you missed the parade, here are some of the logistical details. The
bed on a small flatbed was hitched to a van which contained some of the
nightmare characters. Another vehicle behind the
float carried more nightmare characters. A sound system installed under
the float built by Roger Pilkington was controlled by Dreamer Rich Fox.
The
whole sequence was
played several times during the course of the parade and in front of
the reviewing stand at the Hall.
PHOTO GALLERY
It has not been possible to correctly credit all the
photographers who took these pictures. If you can provide
corrections or additions to the
credits, please let me know before September
28 or after December 13.
|
 |
P/Cdr
Bev Gerry, one of the Nightmare
characters
and 1st Lt Helen Lemon-Moore, as the sleeping
Boating Student in our Boatcracker
Suite
presentation, await the start of the parade.
(Photo probably by Roger Pilkington) |
The
Squadron's float emerges from the Fire Hall driveway
and is now visible by the folks lining the parade route.
The figures in the foreground are Joyce Davis behind the van,
Lt.Julie Lywood, Lt Rich
Fox, 1st Lt Fran Rose and
L/Cdr Elizabeth Wilkes around the bed.
(Photo perhaps by John Mackenzie)
|
|
|
Lt
Julie Lywood and Lt/Cdr Elizabeth Wilkes
are 2 of the floating Dreamers
(Photo by Alan or Nancy Waddell)
|
Some of the Nightmares,
(pictured here are Lauren,
Joyce Davis, Jasmine, Evan and Sidra)
have roused
Helen, the Boating Student,
from pleasant dreams.
(Photo by John Mackenzie)
|
 |
|
Some even scarier nightmares join Joyce. Here you can
see Lt. Steve Fisher in black on the left, P/Cdr Bev Gerry
in a purple top, and Lt John Cowan, the unfortunate
ghost who went down with his anchor.
(Photo by John Mackenzie)
|
The Boating Student
is rescued by
Cdr Nick Samsom
as he presents her with a Pleasure Craft
Operator's
Card. Lt Rich Fox is a Dreamer
clad in a grass skirt,
and
also seen here is Lt.Julie Lywood.
(Photo by John Mackenzie) |
RECENT
BACK ISSUES OF THE NEWSLETTER
July 2006
April
2006
January 2006
October 2005
FOOTNOTES
1.
http://www.cps-ecp.ca/english/index.html
2.
http://www.cpic-cipc.ca/English/index.cfm
3. http://www.jamesmoore.org/nrjuly242006.htm)
4.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/C/CSA/regulations/090/csa091/csa91.html
5. http://www.cps-ecp.ca/conf06/index.htm
Editor:
Lt Fran Rose
(S)
Phone: 629-2060 E-Mail: frose at cablelan dot net
URL:
http://www.cablelan.net/frose/PIPS.html
