Is your old CPS flag a little worse for wear? Our coastal wind and sun can take its toll on our CPS member flags. Before you head out on the water this spring, contact your friendly supply officer who has new CPS flags in stock. Small flags cost $8.00 and large flags $9.00, taxes included.

Along with flags, we supply squadron members with a variety of course and navigation materials as well as CPS regalia. Everything from CPS hats to course plotters are available. Check out our Squadron website in upcoming weeks for specials and more information.

You can contact me at 655-3365 by telephone or via e-mail at supply@saanichpeninsulasquadron.org to place an order or get more information. No order is too small.

Ron Townshend

Squadron Supply Officer

1. Question:

You are underway and making way in pilotage waters when fog sets in. What precautions are you required to take by the Collision Regulations?

2. Question:

By radar and in fog you detect the presence of another vessel closing on a steady bearing on your starboard beam within your “danger arc”. Which of the two vessels is the privileged vessel and what is each vessel required to do?

3. Question:

Many sailboats are fitted with a combination tri-colour masthead lamp which shows the port, and starboard sidelights and white stern light required by sailboats operating under sail between sunset and sunrise. Is this combination lamp still suitable to exhibit after the wind dies and you switch on your engine to continue making way?

4. Question:

As a stand-on vessel in conditions of clear visibility, you are sufficiently concerned at the lack of avoiding action by a vessel closing on your port beam that you sound the warning signal of at least five short blasts on your horn. How long are you prepared to “stand on” as the privileged vessel.

5. Question:

At night you notice ahead of you, on the water, a single white light. What are you looking at?

This is the transcript of the ACTUAL radio conversation of a US Naval ship and the Canadians, off the coast of Newfoundland, October 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-95

CANADIANS:

Please divert your course 15 degrees to the South, to avoid a collision.

AMERICANS:

Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the North, to avoid a collision

CANADIANS:

Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

AMERICANS:

This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert your course.

CANADIANS:

Negative. I say again, “You will have to divert your course”.

AMERICANS:

THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH. I  SAY AGAIN, THAT’S 15 DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.

My next encounter with boats was in Germany on the Moenesee (formed by the Moene Dam of wartime Dambusters fame). There were several Star class boats "acquired" by the Brits from the German Navy at war's end. They were great fun to sail, and I only managed a capsize once!

Over the next ten or so years, I had limited sailing experience. I took my first lessons on Dows Lake in Ottawa, in boats that reminded me of my first boating experience mentioned earlier!

When in Australia on an exchange posting, I did some sailing on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, and also on Sydney Harbour. Incidentally, the lake was named after the American who designed the layout for Canberra - the capital city of Australia.

Once I retired from the Army, I got serious about sailing, took lessons with Humber College Sailing School in Toronto and bought a lovely, barely used 1982 C&C 27 which I kept just west of Kingston in Bath, Ontario.

On moving to Sidney from Toronto, I bought a C&C29, then later a Freedom 25 - 'SEAMOGGY'. Currently, I'm boatless, but hope to have remedied that by the time the "Beacon" is distributed, by acquiring a San Juan 24.

Ken Reeves

1. Answer: Proceed at a safe speed. This will normally entail reducing speed in a power driven vessel. Safe speed is determined according to the amount of vessel traffic, the degree of visibility restriction, the state of wind, sea and tide, the available depth of water and the proximity of navigational hazards, and the maneuverability of your vessel. A reasonable rule of thumb is to proceed at a speed sufficiently slow that you can stop your vessel within half the range of visibility. This rule of thumb, of course, assumes that the “other” vessel you may meet will be exercising the same precaution. Switch on navigation lights, ensure radar reflector is rigged, use radar if fitted, commence sounding appropriate sound signals (one prolonged blast, 4-6 seconds in duration, at intervals of not more than 2 minutes) Ensure a more vigilant visual and aural lookout is kept. You want to hear the fog signals of other vessels!

2. Answer: There is no privileged or give-way vessel in conditions of restricted visibility such as fog. The “steering and sailing” rules (which would normally require you to slow down and alter course boldly to pass safely clear of the privileged vessel) only apply in conditions of good visibility where vessels are in sight of one another. This would normally be in good daylight visibility, or on a clear dark night where the navigation lights of each vessel were clearly visible to the other vessel. Each vessel, upon detecting by radar the presence of another vessel, is required to determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and/or risk of collision exists. If so, the vessel detecting the presence of another by radar shall take avoiding action in ample time, making sure as far as possible to avoid an alteration of course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam. For a vessel forward of the beam, other than one being overtaken, an alteration of course to port should as far as possible, be avoided.

3. Answer: No, the combination lamp is entirely unsuitable and illegal! Once under power, you are required to show the lights of a power driven vessel. These include port and starboard sidelights and sternlight (as shown by the combination lamp) and also a white masthead light which shows through the combined 225 degree arc of the port and starboard sidelights. A white masthead light mounted above or below the combination light is totally unacceptable. The Collision Regulations specify that the sidelights of a vessel shall be placed at a height above the hull of not greater than three quarters of the height of the (forward) masthead light.

This means that in addition to the combination light, you must also carry the proper sidelights and masthead light of a power driven vessel.

4. Answer: This would depend on the proximity of the two vessels to each other. Remember that while the Regulations stipulate that the privileged vessel stands on and the give-way vessel takes avoiding action, the privileged vessel is ultimately required to take all possible action to avoid a collision if the action of the give-way vessel alone is insufficient. The fact that you have sounded the “warning” signal indicates that you are already concerned about the lack of avoiding action taken by the give-way vessel. Therefore the situation is already developing where your obligation to take avoiding action will cut in. This is a judgment call, dependent upon the weather, sea state, navigational and vessel traffic situation at the time, as well as upon the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel. In all likelihood, you will commence avoiding action if your “warning” sound signal does not generate in very short order, the desired response from the give-way vessel. A good rule of thumb is to think in terms of 3 zones (or ranges) around your vessel – a detection zone, an assessment zone and an action zone. The distance of these zones from your vessel will be entirely dependent upon your confidence, vessel handling characteristics and the conditions at the time. In a nutshell, you should always have a predetermined plan of action ready for immediate implementation as the other vessel enters your action zone.

5. Answer: The possibilities are numerous. It could be the sternlight of a power driven or sailing vessel proceeding in the same direction as you, the sternlight carried by a vessel or object being towed (or if several are being towed, by the last vessel/object of the tow). It could be an all-round white light displayed by an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object or combination of such objects being towed, or it could be an electric torch or lighted lantern displayed by a sailing vessel under 7 metres in length or by a vessel under oars.

And the Winners Are…….

On May 13, 2002 the following people were recognized and awarded for the work they did for CPS in Calendar Year 2001.

Letters of Appreciation: (for non-members who donated their time)

* transferred from Saanich Peninsula Squadron to Lazo Squadron

10-hut all Sailors and Wannabe Sailors

If you don't have a boat, hitch a ride - or - go straight to the SNSYC at 1800

Fall 2002 Courses: Twenty-three students have now pre-registered for Boating, two for Marine Maintenance and one for Fundamentals of Weather. Five members have mentioned over the last year or so that they would like to take Seamanship-Sail. This I would like to offer if an instructor can be found.

Flares: Thanks go to members who have responded to the invitation to purchase flares. Flares still available are now down to 2 Orion hand held orange smoke signal flares (manufactured June 2000, $9.50) and 10 Comet red hand flares that expire this September ($0.50).

Again, thank you to all who helped make 2001/2002 a great training year. As the Change of Watch was only last night, no training planning has been done for the upcoming training year. If you are interested in any upcoming courses, please watch for details on our web site or contact me.

John C. Hudson, STO

training@saanichpeninsulasquadron.org

(250) 655-3653

Squadron members may be interested to know that Marine Industry Seminars are available through Quadrant Marine Institute. Some examples of these seminars are: Troubleshooting Marine Charging Systems, Wood Finishing Techniques, Re-Powering Essentials. For further information go to www.quadrantmarine.com , e-mail info@quadrantmarine.com , fax 656-5092, or phone 656-2824.

Quadrant Marine Institute is located in the Canoe Cove Marina complex beside the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.

I hope my ship comes in before my dock rots. Anon

Sidney Boat Show Heroes

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped at the boat show April 25^th to April 28^th. The show was successful and the organizers appreciated our support.

Other than Friday the weather was nice and the gate was busy. I received help in numerous ways: At the gate, communication, advice, set up and take down, and supplies. Some of the volunteers jumped in at the last minute to do additional shifts. Some members offered help but due to unforeseen circumstances they could not attend. Thank you for your offers. Thanks for everyone’s patience and cooperation as I arranged, rearranged and rearranged the schedules some more!

1^st Lt Marion Marlor

Drying is cleaning too: Use a chamois to dry stainles and chrome after each time you rinse the boat, and you’ll only have to polish it once or twice each season.

Now that boating season is finally upon us, the time has come to unroll those charts, open those small craft guides, dust off those barometers and contact your MAREP Officer for registering in the MAREP Weather Reporting Program.

What is MAREP you ask?? MAREP simply stands for MArine REPorting, and MAREP Weather Reporting is a program through which boaters provide valuable, on the spot weather observations via the Canadian Coast Guard Radio to the meteorologists at the Atmospheric Environment Services Weather Centre.

If you hold a Restricted Radio Operator’s certificate, have a VHF radio or cell phone, you can help provide more accurate and reliable forecasts and warnings. With your input other boaters may have time to prepare for deteriorating weather ahead, or return to a safe harbour.

To participate you must register with your squadron MAREP Officer, and the District MAREP Officer and AES will issue you an instruction manual and call number.

Once registered you need only to call in to the CCG Radio with your vessel name/call sign, position, sky conditions, present weather, visibility, wind direction and speed and estimated wave height. It REALLY is that easy.

Saanich Peninsula Squadron members have not participated in this program for a number of years, so I’m appealing to you, please register and help make it safer for your fellow boaters.

Membership News

We would like to extend a hearty welcome to the following members who have recently joined our squadron:

After a very successful basic boating coarse and exam results, we had 14 of the students sign up for membership:

Last year at this time we had 321 members and over the year our squadron has grown by 25 members. Membership is broken down as follows:

FOR SALE: Power Boat

Lynnwood 28, solid fibreglass cruiser. Low hours twin engine, 351 Windsor Ford. Holding tank with macerator. Power windlass. 1800W Honda AC generator 110V. Inflatable dinghy (about 7.5') plus 8' tender with 3.5 hp Evinrude. Clean. Sleeps 6. $18,500 obo. 5% discount to CPS members.

Call Nevio at 652-1725.

WANTED: Sail Boat close to the following:

LOA: 30 to 34 feet

Date of Manufacture: 1985 to 1997

Hull: Fibreglass

Engine: Diesel, inboard only

Rigging/Sails: Sloop rigged

Cabin: Heater, holding tank, cabin under cockpit

Not interested in: Pilot-house boats, centre-board keels, yawls, ketches; gaff, cutter or cat rigged

John C. Hudson

jhch@shaw.ca

(250) 655-3653

 with details.

 

 

Kudos to Our Advertisers

A special word of THANKS to our Advertisers who have again committed to supporting the Beacon with their ads. These include Canoe Cove Marina, Pemberton Homes Insurance, All Bay Marine, Tsehum Marine, Brenna Litwack, Sidney Propeller & Marine, The Boathouse, Compass Rose Nautical Books, Peninsula U-Brew Winery and Brown Bros. Insurance. Without the ongoing support of these generous people we would be unable to publish. Let’s all give them our support.

 

---

page 17

“Web Site Tips"

 

As you know, the Saanich Peninsula Squadron now has an official website.

 

A website is a set of interconnected web pages, which includes a homepage that is maintained as a collection of information by a Webmaster.

 

A website is hosted by an ISP (Internet Service Provider) (i.e. Telus, Shaw, Island Net). For a monthly fee, the ISP hosts your website on the Internet, which is a part of the World Wide Web (WWW)

 

You can access a website by using a “Browser”. A Browser is a free software program (i.e. Internet Explorer, Netscape) that allows you to view web pages at your leisure and surf the Internet for any type of information in the world.

 

In order to search for information on the Internet you will need to use a “Search Engine”. A search engine is free Internet software that allows you to search for any kind of information by typing in what you are looking for.

 

Internet Explorer (Browser) also has a built in search Engine or you can use other popular search engines like (www.Yahoo.com, www.Excite.com, www.AltaVista.com, www.Dogpile.com, www.AskJeeves.com etc.) In order to reach the search engines you need to type www.yahoo.com in the address line (just under the tool bar at the top of your browser)

 

In order to access our new website, double left click on the Browser Icon on your desktop. ) An “Icon” is a graphical representation (picture) of a program like Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

 

Once you have opened your Browser, look in the address line and type in www.saanichpeninsulasquadron.org and then click go or enter. This will bring you to the main homepage of our website, from there you can choose to view (or print) any of the 11 main sub pages or whatever information you wish. You should familiarize yourself with all of the pages on our site. The links section offers lots of good reference websites.

 

Hint: You can also view information intended for squadron members only. Just email the Webmaster for instructions which will get you inside to the members page area.

 

Should you choose to go elsewhere on the website you can click on any of the 11 sub pages or home to get you back to the main page. You can also click the back arrow on your browser.

 

For more information and simple Internet use tutorials, go to the following links:

 

Beginners guide to the Internet www.leapday.demon.nl/Introduc.htm

About the Web www.about-the-web.com

 

Back

---