From the Commander’s Log · 2013 Great Canadian Shoreline Beach Cleanup On September 21, 40...

7
Our Fall Boating courses are underway and we are getting used to a lower student count that has most of us wondering “What’s going on?” I guess we should be grateful that we had 19 students register for Boating Essentials, and 11 for Seamanship. We had to cancel the Weather course with only two people pre- registering. Our Marine Radio starts October 10 with 7 pre-registrations, and Boating Basics starts November 12 with 8 people already pre-registered. STO Peter Girling and his assistants, Lois MacDonald and Peter Bennett, have all the instructors and proctors well organized, so the students will be well looked after. continued...2 Volume XXXII Number 2 October 2013 From the Commander’s Log By Commander Eardley Beaton BRIDGE 2013-2014 (Abbreviated List—Full List on Website) www.vpsboat.com Commander Eardley Beaton…………..604 734-4900 Executive Officer Jeff Booth....…………......604 684-9307 Training Officer P/Cdr Peter Girling...........604 263-4079 Asst Training Officer — Boating Peter Mokkonen...............604 608-1818 Asst Training Officer Lois MacDonald………….604 266-2582 Asst Training Officer Peter Bennett...................604 817-4165 Secretary P/Cdr Marion Pearson…..604 228-0183 Programs Officer Barbara Constantine........604 876-0156 Environment Officer Bill Blancard………….......604 931-5153 Public Relations Officer John Cartmel....................604 261-0589 Webmaster/IT Officer Peter Bennett…………….604 817-4165 Newsletter Officer Nadia Mudge..... ………...604 214-9411 Past Commander Bill Stewart…………….....604 841-0174 Cruisemaster Lois MacDonald………....604 266-2582 Historian Dennis Steeves………….604 263-4276 Change of Address or Membership Inquiries Twyla Graeme……….......604 738-8563 Upcoming Events Monday, October 21 - Mopping up Marine Spills What happens if you spill something nasty into the water? Our spirited speaker, Russell Simpson from Zorbie Products, has lots of reusable, highly absorbent, Coast Guard-approved answers to help you avoid a costly fine! Don’t miss this chance to learn about floatable, wring-able oil sorbents that don’t absorb water, and can be used for petroleum-based solvents and paints, vegetable oils and other non-water soluble chemicals. Monday, November 18 - Mini Grad and Arctic Adventures! Join us for a student ‘mini-grad’, and a presentation on Canada’s fascinating Arctic tall ship, the North Star of Herschel Island, currently moored at the Heritage Harbour by the Maritime Museum. Monday, December 9 - Steveston Marine Night - all hands on deck for the fun return of a popular tradition! Details to come. Past, current and incoming Power Squadron members are all welcome at Squadron Nights, held on the third Monday of each month. We meet at the False Creek Yacht Club on the north shore of False Creek under the Granville Street Bridge. The doors open at 7:00 pm, the event begins at 7:30 pm,

Transcript of From the Commander’s Log · 2013 Great Canadian Shoreline Beach Cleanup On September 21, 40...

Page 1: From the Commander’s Log · 2013 Great Canadian Shoreline Beach Cleanup On September 21, 40 volunteers, including adults and children, participated in the 20th Annual Great Canadian

Our Fall  Boating  courses are underway and we are getting used to a lower student count that has most of us wondering  “What’s going on?” I guess we should be grateful that we had 19 students register for Boating Essentials, and 11 for Seamanship. We had to cancel the Weather course with only two people pre-registering. Our Marine Radio starts October 10 with 7 pre-registrations, and Boating Basics starts November 12 with 8 people already pre-registered. STO Peter Girling and his assistants, Lois MacDonald and Peter Bennett, have all the instructors and proctors well organized, so the students will be well looked after.  continued...2

Volume XXXII Number 2 October 2013

From the Commander’s Log By Commander Eardley Beaton

BRIDGE2013-2014

(Abbreviated List—Full List on Website)www.vpsboat.com

Commander Eardley Beaton…………..604 734-4900Executive OfficerJeff Booth....…………......604 684-9307Training Officer P/Cdr Peter Girling...........604 263-4079Asst Training Officer —BoatingPeter Mokkonen...............604 608-1818Asst Training Officer Lois MacDonald………….604 266-2582Asst Training OfficerPeter Bennett...................604 817-4165SecretaryP/Cdr Marion Pearson…..604 228-0183Programs Officer Barbara Constantine........604 876-0156 Environment OfficerBill Blancard………….......604 931-5153Public Relations OfficerJohn Cartmel....................604 261-0589Webmaster/IT OfficerPeter Bennett…………….604 817-4165Newsletter OfficerNadia Mudge..... ………...604 214-9411Past CommanderBill Stewart…………….....604 841-0174CruisemasterLois MacDonald………....604 266-2582HistorianDennis Steeves………….604 263-4276

Change of Address or Membership Inquiries Twyla Graeme……….......604 738-8563

Upcoming Events

• Monday, October 21 - Mopping up Marine SpillsWhat happens if you spill something nasty into the water? Our spirited speaker, Russell Simpson from Zorbie Products, has lots of reusable, highly absorbent, Coast Guard-approved answers to help you avoid a costly fine! Don’t miss this chance to learn about floatable, wring-able oil sorbents that don’t absorb water, and can be used for petroleum-based solvents and paints, vegetable oils and other non-water soluble chemicals.

• Monday, November 18 - Mini Grad and Arctic Adventures!Join us for a student ‘mini-grad’, and a presentation on Canada’s fascinating Arctic tall ship, the North Star of Herschel Island, currently moored at the Heritage Harbour by the Maritime Museum.

• Monday, December 9 - Steveston Marine Night - all hands on deck for the fun return of a popular tradition! Details to come.

Past, current and incoming Power Squadron members are all welcome at Squadron Nights, held on the third Monday of each month. We meet at the False Creek Yacht Club on the north shore of False Creek under the Granville Street Bridge. The doors open at 7:00 pm, the event begins at 7:30 pm,

Page 2: From the Commander’s Log · 2013 Great Canadian Shoreline Beach Cleanup On September 21, 40 volunteers, including adults and children, participated in the 20th Annual Great Canadian

....from page 1

We are concerned that 10 of the 11 Seamanship students are non-members; with no prerequisites, they selected the less expensive Seamanship course fee of $180 over Boating Essentials $280.  Some adjustment may be needed next season.The Student Cruise will be on October 19.

Cruisemaster Lois MacDonald organized a very good cruise to Keats Island with 14 members and guests, and six boats. We were hosted by Doug Puddifant at his “Llama Ranch” and this is always a highlight of the cruising season. 

Our Programs Officer, Barbara Constantine, again came up with very entertaining speakers on Squadron Night: The Millards have sailed for fifteen years and

they showed us parts of the old world we didn’t know even existed.

Our Public Relations Officer, John Cartmel, has done a great job with the lawn signs and organizing  our booth at  the popular Wooden Boat Festival on Granville Island this past August.  We had good enquiries for all Squadrons as well as an opportunity for displaying the 75th anniversary flag.

In addition, we have just completed participation in the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-Up organized by Environment Officer, Bill Blancard.

Exec Officer, Jeff Booth, and I are off to Toronto to attend the 75th Conference and AGM. See you all when we get back!

Eardley Beaton, Commander

Join Us for

Squadron Nights!Squadron Nights provide a great opportunity to socialize with fellow boaters, find out what’s happening in the squadron, and experience fun and fascinating guest speakers. If you haven’t attended before, we meet in the False Creek Yacht Club pub. Guests are welcome!

Be sure to mark your calendar for the third Monday evening of each month. We look forward to seeing you!

Learn about marine bilge socks and more on our October 21 Members’ Night at False Creek Yacht Club!

Page 3: From the Commander’s Log · 2013 Great Canadian Shoreline Beach Cleanup On September 21, 40 volunteers, including adults and children, participated in the 20th Annual Great Canadian

Keats Island RendezvousThere was a great turnout for the last cruise of the season to Keats Island, hosted by Doug Puddifant; 6 boats and a total of 12 people, plus Molly (Doug’s poodle). Some of the boaters arrived a day or two before the rendezvous. The fog played a role coming up on the Saturday, with Passage Island lost for the most part, in the mist. There was some degree of maneuvering and shuffling,  but most boats were able to share space at the dock. After a ride in a water taxi, we

were greeted by Doug and Violet at the Eastbourne dock, and made our way, by foot, jeep or golf cart, to Doug’s place. From the moment we arrived, the potluck dishes were presented, and we enjoyed a fabulous afternoon of munching, relaxing, chatting, playing horseshoes, target practice, and playing Bananagram (something like Scrabble, but without a board). Doug then barbequed steaks for all, followed by some potluck desserts. All in all it was a great time, hosted by Doug and Violet.  As the sun set, we were escorted back to our boats by the water taxi. The fog rolled in during the night, and some of the moored boats, one sailboat in particular, looked more like a ghost ship.  The following morning, many of us took up the invitation from Judy and Aubrey Millard for coffee and pineapple cake (freshly baked on board Veleda IV); there was good conversation as well as some excellent tips from Judy about storage etc.    

Photos courtesy of Dennis Steves

Page 4: From the Commander’s Log · 2013 Great Canadian Shoreline Beach Cleanup On September 21, 40 volunteers, including adults and children, participated in the 20th Annual Great Canadian

After waiting for the fog to lift somewhat, we then headed home through the mist.  Hope you all have a good winter season, while you fondly remember the sun and warmth of the fabulous summer just finished. If any ideas for next year’s cruising season pop into your head, please let me know at [email protected]

Lois MacDonaldCruisemaster

Back row L to R: Cdr Eardley, P/Cdr Don MercerMiddle row L to R: Aubrey Millard, Violet, Etheleen, Sheila, Lois, Dennis, JohnFront row L to R: Molly, Susan, Judy Millard, Sylvia, Doug

Page 5: From the Commander’s Log · 2013 Great Canadian Shoreline Beach Cleanup On September 21, 40 volunteers, including adults and children, participated in the 20th Annual Great Canadian

2013 Great Canadian Shoreline Beach CleanupOn September 21, 40 volunteers, including adults and children, participated in the 20th Annual Great Canadian Shoreline Beach Cleanup.  Our Squadron hosted this cleanup and our assigned area was the Vanier boat ramp, all the way to the dog beach.  Volunteers this year were from our Squadron, as well as a local Cub Scout Group, and people who registered online as this cleanup was left open to the public as well.  A tent had been set up to display the CPS 75th anniversary banner, a VPSS sign with course info, and two tables where volunteers could find course info, brochures, coffee, donuts and cleanup supplies.  This is where the volunteers could meet,

register, form teams and ask any questions in regards to the cleanup.  Although the weather cooperated with us, it was cloudy and overcast.  At 0930 volunteers began to arrive, registered, formed teams and began the cleanup.  During the cleanup, volunteers would drop by for coffee, juice, donuts, or cookies, returning their trash bags to be weighed and well as handing in their volunteer individual data cards.  Within 3 hours our cleanup was done. Eleven trash bags and 1 recycling bag had been collected.  The total weight of this collection was over 42kg (or 107lbs), and found over a distance of one kilometer.   The three most collected items were (1) 640 cigarette butts, (2) 167 foam pieces, and (3) 151 food wrappers.   Two items of concern were a propane bottle and a flare, marked hazardous, found between some rocks.  Most unusual item collected: a cheque book. Some of the volunteers commented was that it was a clean area.  It goes to show you that we, as a group, are doing our part to keep our beaches and shorelines clean and that it is indeed a worthwhile effort!  Thanks to you, the volunteers, who helped in this year's cleanup.

Bill Blancard VPSS Environment Officer and Site Coordinator

Photos courtesy of John Cartmel

Page 6: From the Commander’s Log · 2013 Great Canadian Shoreline Beach Cleanup On September 21, 40 volunteers, including adults and children, participated in the 20th Annual Great Canadian

False Creek Raft-UpAugust 2013

Photos courtesy of John Cartm

el

Jeff Booth gets ready to have boats raft to

Main Attraction

75 years and flying proud!

Permission to board?

Page 7: From the Commander’s Log · 2013 Great Canadian Shoreline Beach Cleanup On September 21, 40 volunteers, including adults and children, participated in the 20th Annual Great Canadian

����������� ������������������  A����������� ������������������  terrible����������� ������������������  skipper����������� ������������������  was����������� ������������������  going����������� ������������������  back����������� ������������������  and����������� ������������������  forth����������� ������������������  through����������� ������������������  the����������� ������������������  anchorage,����������� ������������������  searching����������� ������������������  for����������� ������������������  a����������� ������������������  place����������� ������������������  to����������� ������������������  drop����������� ������������������  the����������� ������������������  hook����������� ������������������  before����������� ������������������  dark.����������� ������������������  Looking����������� ������������������  up����������� ������������������  to����������� ������������������  heaven����������� ������������������  he����������� ������������������  said,����������� ������������������  "Lord,����������� ������������������  take����������� ������������������  pity����������� ������������������  on����������� ������������������  me.����������� ������������������  If����������� ������������������  you����������� ������������������  find����������� ������������������  me����������� ������������������  a����������� ������������������  good����������� ������������������  spot,����������� ������������������  I����������� ������������������  will����������� ������������������  donate����������� ������������������  to����������� ������������������  charity,����������� ������������������  give����������� ������������������  up����������� ������������������  rum,����������� ������������������  treat����������� ������������������  women����������� ������������������  with����������� ������������������  respect,����������� ������������������  pay����������� ������������������  my����������� ������������������  taxes,����������� ������������������  and����������� ������������������  never����������� ������������������  again����������� ������������������  give����������� ������������������  my����������� ������������������  crew����������� ������������������  all����������� ������������������  the����������� ������������������  blame����������� ������������������  and����������� ������������������  none����������� ������������������  of����������� ������������������  the����������� ������������������  glory!"

Miraculously,����������� ������������������  the����������� ������������������  boat����������� ������������������  with����������� ������������������  the����������� ������������������  best����������� ������������������  spot����������� ������������������  in����������� ������������������  the����������� ������������������  bay����������� ������������������  began����������� ������������������  pulling����������� ������������������  up����������� ������������������  anchor����������� ������������������  to����������� ������������������  leave.

The����������� ������������������  skipper����������� ������������������  looked����������� ������������������  up����������� ������������������  again����������� ������������������  and����������� ������������������  said,����������� ������������������  "Never����������� ������������������  mind,����������� ������������������  I����������� ������������������  found����������� ������������������  one����������� ������������������  myself."

Granville Island Wooden Boat ShowAugust 2013

Photos courtesy of John Cartm

el