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Volume XXXIX Number 5 Sept 2021

Commander’s Log

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable summer.   It certainly was a hot one and for some, very smoky as well.    And then suddenly, it seemed like Fall was here.

We got out for two extended trips – both to the Gulf Islands.   With all of LaFortuna’s previous engine woes, we were loathe to go too far afield ‘just in case’ plus it had been sometime since we had cruised the wonderful Gulf Islands.   True to form, LaFortuna did have one hissy fit which left us unexpectedly sitting at a marina in Ganges for eight days as Pierre, several fellow boaters and mechanics tried to suss out why our port engine no longer wanted to run. There are worse places to be stuck!   There are advantages and disadvantages to having two screws, but one advantage is that when our engine stopped a few nautical miles out of Clam Bay, we were able to continue to somewhere without needing a tow. The other was that, after several days of not finding the problem, the suggestion was made to swap parts from the starboard engine to the port engine and see what worked and what didn’t. And voila! - the problem was found - an ignition censor in the distributor, the part ordered and away we went.

It was wonderful the number of people who tried to help us. We were very appreciative as that is the way it should be – boaters helping other boaters as long as they can do so safely.   Unfortunately, this summer, I saw the opposite while at anchor in Port Graves.   A very large, very new boat with inexperienced people aboard managed to get their anchor caught, probably in some logging debris that still lurks on the ocean floor there.   Despite at least 2 other large boats with large and powerful dinghies close by, no one helped this unfortunate mariner.   After some significant time had passed and realizing that none of the closer boats were going to help, we set forth in our small 15hp dinghy. With Pierre’s ‘widget’, a long length of line and some manipulation of angles, we were able to free the larger boat, much to their relief and our delight. I will leave it to Pierre to tell the whole story, but these unfortunate boaters were extremely appreciative.   However, I was left feeling very disappointed in the other boaters in the anchorage.   Getting your anchor stuck in Port Graves is not an unusual event and usually results in several dinghies motoring to help.   I will not speculate here why this was not the case that evening, but would like to remind everyone, that besides being an obligation, you never know when you might be that vessel in distress. We can all use some good karma.

We are still in a time of flux regarding Covid restrictions. With increasing cases and ever-changing restrictions, the September Squadron night will still be a virtual one. I am sure that we are all looking forward to hearing Ray Dykstra’s account of his 2018 cruise to Haida Gwaii. Check out the details to join in further in this Masthead.

Because of Covid, classrooms at Prince of Wales school are not available for evening classes. We are continuing to offer the combined Boating 2/3 course online.   Tell every new boater (and maybe some not so new boaters) to hurry and register!     Boating 1 (PCOC) will also continue to be offered online.

Though not presently offered, after all of LaFortuna’s mechanical problems, I would love to see an engine maintenance course when we are able to get back into the classroom!    Any volunteers?

I hope that we will be able to start meeting face to face in the near future. Keep checking your email and our website, vpsboat.org for updates.   Meanwhile, let’s enjoy some Fall boating. Keep in touch and let people know where you are for some impromptu, socially safe get-togethers.

Happy boating.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Zygmunt
Commander, Vancouver Power & Sail Squadron

September Squadron Night

Squadron Vancouver night - Monday, Sept 20, 2021. We usually start at 7:30 but the ‘doors are open” at 7:15pm.

Ray Dykstr will present a talk on his 2018 cruise to Haida Gwaii on the Timaru Nui, a 30 foot Nonsuch which he has been sailing for nearly two decades. In 2018 together with two very able crews (one north bound, the second south bound) it made a wonderful trip to and from Haida Gwaii. It was his longest, most challenging and most rewarding voyage ever taken.

Ray learned to sail on Alberta lakes in a flying Junior and the transition to the salt cuck has been greatly aided by the expert courses offered by the Canadian Power Squadron.

It promises to be a very interesting evening. Make sure you put Monday September 20 @ 7.30 p.m. in your diary and join us via the GoToMeeting link below.

http://global.gotomeeting.com/join/165741117

Upcoming Boating Courses

Calling all boating enthusiasts who want to expand their knowledge! If you or anyone you know is interested in taking a course this Fall, we still have lots of room in our Combined Boating 2&3 Online Course. A comprehensive, in-depth course but the learning is fun! The course material and narrated Powerpoint presentations are available 24/7 and we meet once a week on Tuesday using Zoom to review assignments.

This is the most direct link to register for Boating 2&3 :

https://www.cps-ecp.ca/contact/squadron-locations/course-catalog/course-details/?cps-course-id=201&cps-course=B2B3_combo

Once you click on the link, then search for Vancouver to complete the registration.

We are also offering the Maritime Radio Course (Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate). There are two one-day Radio Operator courses this Fall:

One day course (0900 - 1600) at St. James Community Square: Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021
One day course (0900 - 1600) at St. James Community Square: Saturday, Nov 20, 2021
Fee: Non-members: $150, CPS Members: $135

Here is the link to register for the Maritime Radio Course:

https://www.cps-ecp.ca/contact/squadron-locations/course-catalog/course-details/?cps-course-id=88&cps-course=maritime_radio

And then search for Vancouver to complete the registration

Please check here for all upcoming classes and dates.

Or email Peter Girling at prg@telus.net

Tales from Sea

The following story is a real tragedy, one that I hadn’t thought of before.

Now I’ll be thinking of when the kids and grandkids are out fishing in our 19’ fishing boat that this could be a concern. I’m thinking to get a CO detector isn’t a bad idea.

https://www.today.com/health/boat-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-woman-21-drowns-lake-trip-t229191

Cheers,
Bill

Bill Botham

Past Commander

VPS

Do you have any Stories?

...that you'd like to share?

If you feel the urge to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, as the case may be), and have a story you'd like to share with fellow members, we'd like to read it!

Funny stories, lesson-learned stories, great cruising stories, you-won't-believe-what-happened stories...

Please send any short masterpieces to pro@vpsboat.org and we'll try to include them in the Masthead when we have space.

Happy writing... and boating!

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 21
VPS Squadron Night: Sailing to Haida Gwaii
http://global.gotomeeting.com/join/165741117

October 18
Jason King, Station Leader/Coxswain SARS West Vancouver

November 14
VPS Member, Harold Gordon, Marine Surveyor

Membership Renewal

A reminder to members to renew your membership!

In order to renew, you must log into the cps-ecp website. If you have forgotten your password, you can create a new one. If you no longer use the email with which you made your profile, you will need to contact Moe to forward to National. For security reasons, only the member can change their email. If you forgot or ‘gave up’ last year when trying to renew your membership on the new system, you will not be penalized. Just pay and renew for 2022 and you will be ‘good to go’ for the year. Another note, the system is very fussy, and every box must be filled in order for you to proceed. I know that, for some members, renewing has been a frustrating experience, but it is getting easier all the time as the various glitches are being found and worked out.

Remember that the ‘head of the household’ renews for the entire household. Lifetime members must still renew at 0.00. Any questions? Any problems? Ask our membership officer, Moe Forrestal smo-vancouver@cps-ecp.org

Squadron Bridge (2020-2021)

Commander Elizabeth Zygmunt
Executive Officer
Assistant Educational Officer Peter Girling
Assistant Educational Officer (Radio) Peter Bennett
Secretary Charles Tai
Financial Officer Don Mathew
Assistant Financial Officer Les Hausch
Membership Officer Moe Forrestal
Assistant Membership Officer Twyla Graeme
Programs Officer Terry Friesen
Environmental Officer Bill Blancard
Communications Officer
Newsletter Editor Carol Anne Humphrys
Supply Officer (Regalia) Don Zarowny
Webmaster/IT Officer Peter Bennett
Historian Dennis Steeves
Past Commander Bill Botham
Officer-at-Large Dave Atchison
Officer-at-Large Roger Middleton
Officer-at-Large

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