SCUTTLEBUTT

January - February 2012

PO Box 71 Gabriola BC V0R 1X0

http://powersquadron.gabriola.org/

Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons

Gabriola Island Squadron

The Squadron Bridge 2011 - 2012

SQUADRON EVENT CALENDARGabriola Cruise Schedule - see website for updatesSquadron AGM Potluck - Sat. April 21, 2012, Gabriola Golf Club, Call Walter Berry 250 247-8651 Boating starts Jan 4. Maritime Radio starts Jan 10. ”Gabriola Power Squadron”

POSITION NAME PHONEPast Commander Bob Weenk 247-0267Commander Cecil Ashley 247-9653Executive Officer Ian Waymark, P 247-7883Training Officer Ralph Hagen, AP 247-8491Secretary Elaine Pearce 247-7538Treasurer Siggy Andrun 247-9794Membership Officer Hans Andrun 247-9794Public Relations Officer Rufus Churcher, AP 247-8779MAREP/Weather opportunityAssistant Training Officer Digby Jones 247-9150Assistant Training Officer Bob Weenk 247-0267Environment Officer Mike Richards, AP 247-8938Cruisemaster Rick Schultze 247-9968Supply Officer Douglass Legg 325-7877Port Captain Frank Shoemaker 247-0001Webmaster Robert Derksen 247-9792Social Officer Walter Berry 247-8651Historian/Archives Officer Sarah Kostiw 247-1177Communications Officer Don Butt, AP 247-7804Scuttlebutt Editor Don Butt, AP 247-7804Privacy Officer Don Butt, AP 247-7804

Safety Officer Bob Wood 247-7339“Gabriola Power Squadron”

.Chuckles

The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. There-fore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play.“Here’s a copy of the service,” he said impatiently. “But, you’ll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances.”During the service, the minister paused and said, “Brothers and Sisters, we are in great dif-ficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up.”At that moment, the substitute organist played the National Anthem.And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!

*************

While driving in Pennsylvania , a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... “Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.”

*************

A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn’t find a space with a meter.Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: “I have circled the block 10 times. If I don’t park here, I’ll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses.”When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note “I’ve circled this block for 10 years. If I don’t give you a ticket I’ll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.”

*************There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.“Is there anything breakable in here?” asked the postal clerk.“Only the Ten Commandments.” answered the lady.

MESSAGE RELAY FROM STATE OF WASHINGTON BOATING SAFETY MANAGER

Orion issues recall notice for hand-launched aerial signals

Dec 8 2011 in Currents by Deborah Bach Orion Safety Products has issued a recall for two models of its hand-launched aerial signals, cit-ing problems with the devices failing to launch and/or ignite.

The recall applies to older Orion XLT and 12-gauge signals made with orange ABS plastic. XLTs are self-contained, hand-launched signals, while 12-gauge signals have a pistol-style launch and a plastic shell.

In 2008, Orion switched from orange ABS to red-colored, glass-filled polyethylene for its better strength, durability and resistance to moisture. The last XLTs that used orange ABS in the launch tube body expire this month, while the last 12-inch gauge shells using the orange ABS plastic expire in March 2012.

If you have an XLT signal with an orange launch tube that has an expiration date between Novem-ber 2011 and December 2011, or an orange 12-gauge shell that has an expiration date between No-vember 2011 and March 2012, you are eligible to receive a free, four-pack replacement at no cost.

To obtain a replacement pack, submit the following information by email to mailto:customerservice%40orionsignals.com,subject “SIGNAL REPLACEMENT,” or by mail to Orion Safety Products, Attn. Signal Replacement Program, P.O. Box 1047, Easton, MD, 21601:

• Name• Address• Daytime phone number• Signal quantity• Lot number• Expiration date

Customers are also asked to submit a photo of their signals, clearly showing the expiration date and lot number. Do not ship any signals back to Orion.

Replacement packs cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box.

*************Notification came via P/D/C Sheil Boutcher, President of the BC Council of Yacht Club Members

MnemonicsRight-of-Way Rules

from a website by Geoff Kuenning. Check his website.. Good stuff!http://lasr.cs.ucla.edu/geoff/mnemonics.html http://lasr.cs.ucla.edu/geoff/mnemonics.html

The rules for who has the right of way are complex. The basic rule, of course, is General Re-sponsibility: notwithstanding any other rule, you're not supposed to run into other people or things. That ought to be obvious.

For recreational boaters, a commonly-observed practical corollary is "tonnage has the right of way": stay out of the way of big boats, because even if you're technically right, you're going to be the loser in a collision.

Nevertheless, there are rules about who goes first, and you ought to know them. Since they're complex and lengthy, I invented a mnemonic to help recall them.

(Note: I've tried to summarize the essence of the COLREGS here. If you think I've gotten things wrong, you're welcome to e-mail me and set me straight. I'll appreciate it if you do, and I'll correct this Web page as soon as possible after I'm corrected.)

However, note that this mnemonic is a simplification of the rules. I'm not trying to codify every word of the COLREGS, I'm just trying to help you remember the most important points. Please don't nitpick. On second thought, please do nitpick, because I care a lot about details, but please don't get upset if your particular nit never makes it into this Web page.

The mnemonic below doesn't cover the situation where two similar boats are approaching (nearly) head-on. In that case, it is preferred that you alter course to starboard, so that you pass port-to-port (red to red, so that both are the give-way vessel; thanks to Paul Atterton for pointing this out). "Stay to the right and you'll be right," but the general-responsibility rule still overrides everything else.

This mnemonic gives the "order of priority," with the most important first. To use it, find yourself and the other boat on the list. The boat which comes first has the right of way, and is the stand-on vessel. If you both fall in the same category, then either the category itself tells you what to do (e.g., sailboats beat powerboats), or you must continue down the list. The mnemonic is "Generally, anchoring our red tugboat diligently minimizes surge loads." It is interpreted as follows:

Right-of-Way Rules (cont.)

Generally General responsibility. Above all else, don't have a collision. "I had the right of way" isn't a de-fense if there was something you could have done to avoid the other boat.Anchoring Anchored, stopped, or moored boats must be avoided by all other vessels.OurOvertaken. Boats being overtaken have the right of way over the overtaking vessel. (This is true even if the slower boat is power and the faster boat is sail.)RedRestricted maneuverability. Boats with restricted maneuverability, whether due to fishing, draft, length, towing, or other causes, have the right of way over vessels not so restricted.TugboatTraffic separation. Vessels participating in a traffic-separation scheme have the right of way over non-participating vessels. (If you must cross a traffic lane, try to do so at right angles.)DiligentlyDownriver. On certain inland waters, powerboats proceeding downriver have the right of way over upriver and crossing vessels.MinimizesMan-powered beats sail beats motorboat beats seaplane. Human-powered boats (canoes and rowboats) have the right of way over sailboats, which in turn have the right of way over power-boats, and even they have the right of way over seaplanes. I think of this in terms of increasing technological sophistication: the fancier your equipment, the fewer rights you have (sort of a class reversal).This is an important one for sailors, of course, but note that there are a number of situations listed above where sailors must still give way.SurgeStarboard boat or starboard tack wins. This actually represents two rules, depending on whether the meeting boats are both sail or both power. (If one is sail and one is power, the rule above ap-plies.) For power boats, the boat approaching from starboard has the right of way. For sailboats, the boat that is on starboard tack has the right of way, regardless of from where it is approaching.Loads.Leeward boat wins. When two sailboats meet on the same tack, the leeward boat has the right of way over the windward boat.

Used with Geoff’s permission - thank you Geoff.

From the Wheelhouse Cec Ashley - Commander

From TrainingRalph Hagen, AP - Training Officer

Hello everyone,

Well we are almost into a New Year and had a most amazing and successful year Squadron wise. We started off with another record size boating course and a lot of our new students are now participating in our squadron functions, such as beach clean ups, picnics, and our most successful Christmas Party to date with ap-proximately 60 members attending. We ended the year winning four very prestigious awards, one of which was a National Award for our marketing. Also we won the Squadron Challenge Award, for best overall performance of a Squadron in the 10-Squadron Vancouver Island North District presented by Past District Commander Sheila Boutcher. The Youth Training Award for best performance in the District in youth training from District Training Officer, Peter Bolton. And Squadron Training Officer Ralph Hagen received the District Volunteer of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution to the Squadron in the past year.

We are well on the way to our new years boating course as well as the VHF course with many students already signing up. One of our bridge members came up with the idea of gift cer-tificates which we have sold a few and people seemed to like the idea. Thanks Hans for the great idea.

Our AGM will be April 21st, 2012 at the Gabriola Golf Club and next years bridge is shaping up very well indeed with many new and exciting faces joining from our recent boating classes. We are looking forward to a great year in 2012.

Cec Ashley

Having just completed the fall BOATING course with fifteen students who did very well we are now preparing to start the Spring course on 4 January. En-rolment numbers are not in yet so we do not know the size of the class. The course fee is $225.00 and $20.00 for the Transport Canada fee if you want/need the Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card.

We do have a good enrolment at present for the RADIO course which is starting 10 January. This will be two evenings plus a third evening for the exam, January 10, 17 & 24 - $85.00. This gets you the ROC(M) – Restricted Operator’s Certificate (Maritime) which is required if you are operating a boat with a marine band radio on board. Not having it is good for a $200.00 fine amongst all the other fines they can levy.

We are working on preparing for a course on Electronic Navigation. This is a combination of the Navigation with GPS and Chartplotting. These were to have been combined by CPs as one course which has not happened yet so we are working at doing that on our own although it requires double course material.

We are advised by CPS that their On-line PCOC course is now approved by Transport Canada and it is to be available 3 January 2012 at an introductory price of $39.95 until 15 February when it will be $49.95.

Ralph Hagen

The Gabriola Island Squadron has been very active this year and, has won numerous awards. It is now time we were recognized on the water as the active squadron we are with our flag.

The design was adopted by the membersip of the Squadron and officially approved CPS-ECP Nationally and is used on our letterheads,

posters and flyers.

The lighthouse on Entrance Island is represented graphically, and the maple leaf from the National flag is the light, emanating rays of boating

knowledge as we instruct, out over the waters.

Flag (cont.)

So far 17 members have signed up to pre-purchase the flag at a cost of $20. We would like to presell 40 flags to cover the minimum order of 50 from the manufacturer. We would also like to have

the flags on hand for members at the AGM and at the start of the boating season.

Gabriola Island Squadron wil be working with VIND for the annual VIND Rendezvous to be held on Gabriola Island at Pages Marina on July 27-28-29. It would be a great time to fly our own colours.

To order, email Ian Waymark <ianwaymark@me.com>

The Christmas Party

Successful Boating Class students attending the Christmas Party, pre-sented with their Squadron Certificates

Congratulations all, well done, and

welcome to CPS as members.

Bob Weenk enthusiasti-cally selling arms length 50-50 draw tickets for a bargain. All to a good cause, eh Bob!

From VIND, representing D/C Cliford Miller, Admin Officer and P/D/C Est. St-Laurent, Nick Fortin, his wife Roster Editor, Isabelle Lavoie, raising a glass with Cdr Cec Ashley

Special award to Russ Pearce, who has over the years contributed so much to the Squad-ron as Commander, Exec Officer, Cruisemaster, MAREP, Public Relations Officer, and more, just by his steady hand and wise counsel. We owe much to you Russ, and we thank you!