The Beacon

Volume 29 Number 10
December 1999

The Official Newsletter of the Saanich Peninsula Squadron

A UNIT OF CANADIAN POWER AND SAIL SQUADRONS

Commander Cdr Ken Reeves 655-3602  
Past Commander P/Cdr Helen Louwerse 544-4358 [email protected]
Executive Officer Lt/Cdr Greg Nutt 656-4212 nutz@ home.com
Training Officer Lt/Cdr David Stansfield 655-4619  
Assistant Training Officer 1st Lt Jim Dawson 658-8204
Youth Officer 1st Lt Barbara Bond 384-4268 [email protected]
Training Aids Officer 1st Lt David Teece 658-0299 [email protected]
Treasurer 1st Lt Ray Scott 656-4828 [email protected]
Secretary 1st Lt Paulette Nutt 656-4212 [email protected]
Membership Officer 1st Lt Carol Sidwell 656-4590 [email protected]
Supply Officer 1st Lt Chris Sterling 656-7927  
Editor, Beacon 1st Lt Diana McBratney 656-4590 [email protected]
Publisher, Beacon 1st Lt Agnes Simpson 652-1291
Communications Officer 1st Lt Tamara Nutt 889-1506 [email protected]
Marep Weather 1st Lt Bob Richardson 544-1577 [email protected]
Marep Hydrographic P/Cdr Stephen Denroche 656-6177 [email protected]
Computer Officer 1st Lt Colin Gallins 656-4904 [email protected]
P.R. & Entertainment Officer 1st Lt Cliff Kachaluba 652-2359 [email protected]
Social Cruise Captain 1st Lt Barry Levi 477-3702 [email protected]
Student Cruise Captain 1st Lt Martin Pepper pgr388-1727 [email protected]
Port Captain 1st Lt Hank Louwerse 544-4358 [email protected]
Environment Officer 1st Lt Leslie Head 655-4656 [email protected]
Archivist P/Cdr Giles Perodeau 656-4525  
Auditor ***** Brenna Litwack 656-0084 [email protected]
********************** ****** ************** ********** ********************

Meetings of the Bridge will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 1930 in the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, except July and December. All members are welcome to attend. Please contact the Editor, Diana McBratney, at 656-4590 or [email protected]if you have any comments on the material contained in this publication. Information, advertisement requests and articles for publication in The Beacon should be in the hands of the Editor by the 15th of each month. The material in this publication will also be published on the Squadron website at http://www.islandnet.com/~cps-sps


Page 2

Commander's Comments

As this century draws to a close, we can reflect on a series of "lasts". The last Commander's Comments until February, 2000 (a relief to the readers?), the last Boating course, the last Student Cruise, and the last Christmas Party (on 17 December).

The highly favourable comments of the Proctors on the Student Cruise to Otter Bay on 7 November, bore out my forecast of last month that the current course was of an extremely high standard.

Finally, on behalf of all members of the Squadron Bridge, I would like to wish all Squadron members and their families, a safe and joyous Christmas season.

Ken Reeves,

Commander

The Contraventions Act:

What does it mean to boaters?

Boaters have always been expected to know the rules that apply on Canadian waterway. The federal Contraventions Act adds an increased incentive.

Not having the appropriate number of lifejackets or Personal Flotation Devices that fit -- for each person on board -- is one of the many offences under the Small Vessel Regulations. Speeding in a controlled speed zone is among the many offences under the Boating Restriction Regulations.

The Contraventions Act now makes it possible to use existing Provincial or Territorial "ticketing" schemes to process certain federal regulations. For boaters, this includes the Small Vessel Regulations which define such things as: minimum mandatory safety equipment to be carried in the boat and the Boating Restriction Regulations which impose speed limits, shoreline speed zones, horsepower limits and other operating restrictions on specified local waterways.

Of importance to the boater is the recent inclusion of some sections of Transport Canada's Collision Regulations, or "rules of the road" for boaters.

The following are some examples of related boating fines under the current Contraventions Act:

Insufficient number of lifejackets/PFDs = $200*

Operating a small vessel without a vessel licence = $100*

Removing a compliance place = $100*

Insufficient number of flares = $100*

Operating a small vessel in a careless manner = $200*

Speeding in a controlled speed zone = $100*

*subject to Provincial administration fees


Page 3

Coming Events Calendar

Dec. 17 Annual Squadron Christmas Dinner (see ad next page).

No Bridge Meeting in December.

Dec. 31 Annual New Year's Cruise to Otter Bay, North Pender Island. Contact Barry Levi, 477-3702, for more information, reservations, etc.

Jan. 11- Apr. Spring Boating Course at Parklands School.

Jan. 18 Tentative start date for Marine Maintenance course. Contact STO Dave Stansfield re this and the Weather course: 655-4619.

Jan. 19 Tentative start date for Weather course.

Jan. 10 Fall Boating Course Graduation, 1900 at Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club. D/C Ken Clarke will be on hand to congratulate the grads and to welcome new members.

Jan. 20 Bridge meeting at Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club. 1930 hrs.All members are welcome to attend.

30 Years Ago . . . in December of 1969:

the fledgling newsletter of the Saanich Peninsula Squadron received it's name: The Beacon, as a result of a membership contest won by Mrs. Edie Glanfield the Squadron's first Christmas party was held the Squadron's first student cruise was held -- to Bird's Eye Cove; 8 vessels and 28 students took part along with skippers and proctors members were reminded that 1970 dues would be required by Jan. 1: $10.00 Nelson Dewey, the Sqn Commander, extended seasons greetings to all members te supply officer (John Hubbard) had for purchase by members:

Power Sqn pennants in two sizes: 8x13 at $2.50, and 12x20 at $3.00

Blazer crests at $7.00

Cap badges at $4.50

T-shirt crests at $2.50


Page 4

Sqn. Christmas Party

Friday, December 17, 1999

NB New Date

Glen Meadows Country Club

McTavish Road

1900 for 1930

Please contact our Entertainment Officer,

Cliff Kachaluba, at 652-2359 for tickets.

Only $11 each.

As table reservations and meals have to be ordered in advance,

please DO THIS NOW.

There will be: an open bar,

roast beef dinner

(special diets, tell Cliff),

a couple of very short speeches,

Come and join us for a pleasant evening meal followed by fun and dancing on this our 30th Anniversary Christmas Dinner and Party.


Page 5

Greetings from the Bridge to all Members:

The Commander and Officers

of the Saanich Peninsula Squadron CPS

send Greetings of the Season

to all Members and their Families.

May you have a happy and peaceful Christmas,

and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Safe Boating and All the Best for the Year 2000.


Page 6

Meet the Bridge

Meet Hank Louwerse. Hank used to refer to himself as "the Commander's husband" but says now that she's a "has-been", he can't say that any more! Currently our Port Captain, Hank is probably more at home captaining an off-shore oil rig, but also served a spell as a forest ranger in Alberta. Now looking forward (???) to retirement, Hank hopes to sell his 40' cruise-a-home and get a slightly smaller boat, and to do some instructing on Squadron courses. Other interests include music -- composition and performance -- and golf.

Meet Helen Louwerse. Our Commander last year, Past Commander this year, Helen is very much involved with our Sqn as well as taking up a position on the District Bridge as Assistant Training Officer this year. Joining the Sqn in 1993, Helen also served the Squadron as Membership Officer, Social Cruise Captain and Executive Officer, before taking command. Helen served a term as Alderwoman in Hinton Alberta, and has worked extensively in property management. She enjoys bowling and a good game of golf, and is an avid Blue Jays fan.

Another of our husband and wife couples volunteering time to your Sqn Bridge.

Member News

Members continue to get "hooked up" to the internet and email. Just a reminder: if you do get an email address, or if your address, phone number, boat -- name, type, mooring place, or anything else changes, please let your Membership Officer know. Call Carol Sidwell at 656-4590 or email her at [email protected]

Next issue you will have an opportunity to advertise in the Beacon: no charge! Email or call the Editor, Diana, at 656-4590 or [email protected] with your classifieds: marine related only. Clear out useable but unneeded items. Limited space available.


Page 7

STUDENT CRUISE

The student Cruise was held on November 7th and was enjoyed by all. We were blessed with perfect weather, considering the date, enthusiastic Students, knowledgeable Proctors, and generous Skippers. Demonstrations were given in under water examinations, firefighting, docking /undocking, anchoring, flares, and a guest appearance by members of the Saanich Marine Rescue Society and their RHIB.

A special thanks to the following:

SKIPPERS PROCTORS

HUGH CHAMBELAIN CLIFF CUNNINGHAM (FIRE DEMO)

BILL MILLER GAY MILLER

BARRY LEVI CLIFF KACHALUBA

ARCHIE McKAY (DOCKING) DAVID STANSFIELD (DIVING DEMO)

AGNES SIMPSON JIM DAWSON

BRUCE CAMPBELL DAVE TEECE

BOB PARKINSON (ANCHORING) MO ROBERTSON

JOHN HUDSON

BOB PEACOCK BOB EDWARDS

GARY ROBERTSON DAYLE ROBERTSON

MEMBERS OF SAANICH MARINE RESCUE SOCIETY :

GARY BLAKE RICK CALLANDER (FLARE DEMO)

Apologies to anyone attempting to reach me to attend the Cruise as an observer, my pager number was incorrectly printed in the Beacon. Anyone wishing to attend the Spring Cruise is asked to call me at 656-8101, Pager 388-1727, or e-mail [email protected].

 

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