Prince George Power & Sail Squadron Icebreaker

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1 January 2010 Prince George Power & Sail Squadron Icebreaker Prince George Power & Sail Squadron P.O. Box 64, Prince George, BC V2L 4R9 Website: Calendar of Events Feb 27 - Winter Pot Luck Dinner and Social at Moose Hall March 22, 25 & 29 - Maritime Radio (VHF) Course at Civic Centre April 28 - AGM, followed by Fire Extinguisher & Flare Demonstration May 8 - Spring Gala: Student Graduation, Awards, Change of Watch May 15 - Squadron Boats in May Day Parade May 15 - Squadron Boat Show at Wal- Mart parking lot June 5 & 6 - Sailing Regatta at Francois June 12 & 13 - Annual Fishing Derby at Francois Lake COMMANDER S CORNER I hope everyone had a nice break during the holidays. With start of the New Year, the days will get longer and thoughts of boating will fill our minds. Unfortunately the Vancouver Boat Show has been cancelled this year because of the Olympics and the new roof being installed on BC Place. The Seattle Boat Show is from January 29 th to February 6 th for those who want to get away and see a show. I would like to welcome the 25 students who are taking the boating class this year which started on January 4 th. Our next Social Event is the Potluck on February 27 th. I personally would like to invite all the boating class students to our potluck, and all of our other members as well. This is a good time to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones. Hope to see everyone there. Respectfully submitted, Doug Cherry VHF/DSC MARITIME RADIO COURSE This course is scheduled for March 22, 25 & 29 at the Civic Centre. If Squadron members, current Boating Course students, or any of their friends require this certificate, please contact Barry Smith at or him at bjsmith5601@telus.net. The ROC (M) Certificate is legally mandatory for those who operate any VHF Marine Radio. Squadron membership is not a requirement to enrol in this course. Since every charter boat is required to have a VHF Marine Radio, and because the law requires you to have a certificate to use it, taking this course is a must!

2 Page 2 Bridge Members 2009/2010 Commander - Doug Cherry Executive Officer - Bill McFarlin Training Officer - Bruce Porteous Secretary - Judi Shannon Treasurer - Paulette Valois Public Relations - Jeff Krafta Membership - Robert Kroeker Communications - Judy Smith Supplies - Robert Valois & Mike Zaluski Publications - Judy Smith Socials - Gwynn Kroeker Socials - Fishing Derby - Steve Seebach Boating Course - Vern & Corinne Woods Proctors - Gayle Hebb Advanced & Electives - George Brookes Boat Pro - John Hebb PAST COMMANDERS Gordon Springate John Turner Doug Mears 1987 Bob McChesney John Sahlstrand Bob Clayton George Brookes Grant Olsen Gary Shannon Neil Symons Jim McNeal Lou Jewitt Barry Smith Willi Wagner Jim Dorval Trudy Langthorne LIFETIME MEMBERS Gordon Springate George Brookes Historian - Don Clapper Administration - Kirk & Shannon Bentley MAREP - Gary Shannon Phoning Committee - Maggie Stoner Webmaster - Barry Smith Port Captain - Jim Dorval Environment - Sandy Cherry Past Commander - Trudy Langthorne PMD Northern Liaison - Lou Jewitt As you know, the 2010 Vancouver International Boat Show (VISB) is cancelled. The 2010 Vancouver Boat Show, previously scheduled to be held after the Olympics, is cancelled due to roof repairs on B.C. Place. Next year, the Vancouver Boat Show will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre on February 9-13, The VISB returns to BC Place for the 2012 show.

3 Page 3 BOATING COURSE CLASS OF 2010 The Prince George Power & Sail Squadron would like to welcome the following students who are presently taking our CPS Boating Course: Ken Antonenko, Steve Antonenko, Lavern & June Bleich, Louisa Bogaardt, Frank Boyle, Wayne & Lory Jean Denluck, Bryan Eikum, Carlos Green, James Jamieson, Rupert Mann, Ian & Sue Marjoribanks, Colin McLeish, Jim Mummery, Frederick Murfitt, Damian & Maria Pighin, Andrew Rebeyka, Dexter Shanner, Daniel Shewchuk, Richard Smith, Gary & Vallerie Style. We are sure you will learn a great deal during this Course and we know that you will enjoy your boating experiences so much more after you have completed the course and have all the extra skills and knowledge for safe boating in our waters. Good Luck to all our students! FEBRUARY POT LUCK DINNER AND SOCIAL Our Annual February Pot Luck Dinner and Social will be held on Saturday, February 27th, at the Moose Hall at 663 Douglas Street. It is open to all Squadron members, Boating Course students, and their guests. A licensed bar will be open at 6 p.m. and dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $7.50 per person or $15.00 a couple (paid at the door) to cover the cost of the hall, etc. After dinner, there will be a short presentation by Joan Cox. Attendees are asked to bring their favourite potluck dish - a main dish OR a salad OR a dessert. Our Phoning Committee will be contacting our local members regarding the details and confirmation of your attendance. If our out-of-town members are in Prince George at that time, we would love to have you join us again too. Please Maggie Stoner at pstoner@mag-net.com Everyone will also have the opportunity to meet and welcome our current Boating Course students! SQUADRON STARS We encourage our members to share their experiences on the water - whether you were rescued or were the one who rescued others. Send your stories to Judy Smith for publication in our Icebreaker. The stories are a gentle reminder that boating is a continuous learning experience. Join our family of Squadron Stars - you could even be eligible for our Golden Prop Trophy. What do you see? In black, you can read the word GOOD. In white, the word EVIL (inside each black letter is a white letter).

4 Page 4 FOR SALE 2001 HUNTER 260, SERIAL: HUNF0885F001, 26 FOOT SAIL BOAT COMPLETE WITH: 2000 HONDA 15 hp 4 STROKE OUTBOARD MOTOR, TANDEM TRAILER. THE BOAT IS SET UP FOR SINGLE HANDED SAILING. A FULL LIST OF THE BOAT FEATURES IS AVAILABLE ALONG WITH AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF THE EXTRAS THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED SINCE ITS PURCHASE. THE BOAT IS OFFERED FOR SALE DUE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS. INTERESTED PARTIES PLEASE CONTACT DON AT (BOAT IS CURRENTLY IN WINTER STORAGE) Reminder regarding the 2010 Winter Olympic Games Security For our Squadron members who cruise in the waters of Lower Mainland, please note that security measures for the Olympic Winter Games will be in place for a 60 day period from January 23 to March 24, These measures will include enforced Exclusion and Controlled Access Zones within Coal Harbour, False Creek and the Fraser River. They will also include enhanced security surveillance within Howe Sound along the Sea-to-Sky Corridor. Details are available at: Also, for those members cruising in the Lower Mainland waters, please note that the finger piers for the new Port Mann Bridge are currently under construction and are expected to substantially restrict overall navigation in the area. New signage will be posted to forewarn operators of pleasure craft. Canadian Red Cross statistics show that recreational boating accounts for 76% of all drowning accidents. Sport fishing is the number one cause with 18% of the fatalities; 85% of all fatalities happened on weekends; alcohol-related drownings accounted for 41%; flotation devices (PFDs) were not worn in 9% of the fatalities. Swimming accounts for only 3% of such incidents. REMINDER: New laws under the Canada Shipping Act prohibits the discharge of raw sewage within three nautical miles of shore.

5 Page 5 CPS has exceeded a membership total of 41,000 for the first time in our 71 year history. This is a significant milestone for our organization, especially during such a difficult economic year. It is our goal to be the recreational boating organization of choice in Canada, whether it be for education purposes, volunteering experiences, or enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded individuals. Our Prince George Power & Sail Squadron presently has 690 Members. With a strong blow, this little boat can be great fun and get your adrenaline rushing! 20 Traditional Day Sailer Sloop Rig In Good Condition Comes with: Spinnaker; 150% Genoa; 5 hp Mariner 2 Stroke; Road Runner Trailer; fenders; dock lines and safety equipment $7,900 Call Martin or Trudy at If you wish to advertise your boat or any used marine equipment in the Icebreaker or on our Squadron website, send an to bjsmith@telus.net along with a digital photo and a description. This service is available free to all Squadron members.

6 Page 6 NOTICE TO OUR MEMBERS STILL USING THE LORAN-C SIGNAL For our members who cruise from Lower Mainland into the U.S. waters, please note that the U.S. Coast Guard's Director of Prevention Policy announced plans to cease broadcasting the North American Loran-C signal on Feb. 8. However, in the Pacific Northwest, this decision will not include Loran Station George, Wash., which will continue to support an international network. As a result of technological advancements during the last 20 years and the emergence of the U.S. Global Positioning System, Loran-C is no longer required by the armed forces, the transportation sector or the nation's security interests, and is used by only a small segment of the population. President Barack Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget supported the termination of outdated systems and specifically cited the terrestrial-based North American Loran-C system as such an example. The President did not seek funding for the Loran-C system in fiscal year Termination was also supported through the enactment of the 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. The Loran-C system was not established as, nor was it intended to be, a viable systemic backup for GPS. If a single, domestic national system to back up GPS is identified as being necessary, the Department of Homeland Security will complete an analysis of potential backups to GPS. The continued active operation of Loran-C is not necessary to advance this evaluation. SAILING REGATTA Francois Lake June 5-6, 2010 We are seeking volunteers to assist with this year s organization, including a Coordinator and helpers. If you are interested in getting involved with something different (you don t have to be a sailor!) please call Trudy Langthorne at (250) And for those sailors who want to participate, it is not too early to call Trudy! If you would like to advertise your business in our Squadron newsletter, please call Judy Smith at or at bjsmith@telus.net

7 Page 7 The sea otter is the smallest marine mammal and is the only one belonging to the order of carnivore which means that this mammal is a meat eater. It has clever hunting habits which have been described as resourceful and resilient. The diet of the sea otter consists mostly of fish and marine invertebrates such as octopus, mussels and crab. It catches these by foraging. They dive down, catch their prey and return to the surface to breathe and feed on what they ve caught. This is an individual process for otters who catch their food alone, rather than in groups. Sea otters demonstrate a high level of intelligence when foraging for their food. They are able to tell the difference between toxic and non-toxic shellfish and will consistently choose the non-toxic food after a quick examination. Watch for them when you are out cruising on the ocean. They are resourceful hunters and very interesting to observe. If you are aware of any Squadron members who are ill, or in the hospital, or have lost a loved one, please advise Judy Smith at or her at: bjsmith@telus.net Did you know.. The water of Angel Falls (the world's highest) in Venezuela drops 3,212 feet (979 meters). They are 15 times higher than Niagara Falls. The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma. Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are 50 years of age or older. Pearls melt in vinegar! (But who wants to see if this is right??) Note: Central Husky Services Ltd is now known as D-Line Auto & Tire Ltd. It has the same address, same telephone number and same great service! A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

8 Page 8 Our Squadron is pleased to recognize the businesses that support us, as shown on the pages of this Icebreaker newsletter. Please remember to support them! Chinook Scaffold Systems Ltd. Dodd Hareuther, General Manager 9189 National Place, Prince George, BC Telephone: Fax: Squadron Members: Need a refresher on tying knots? Check out this great website: oimage=logogrog.jpg&website= The Icebreaker newsletter is produced and The Icebreaker is produced and distributed by Judy distributed by Judy Smith, Publications Officer. If you Smith. If you have any questions or would like to see have any questions or would like to see specific items specific items of interest in the Icebreaker, please of interest in the Icebreaker, please contact Judy at contact Judy at or her at or her at bjsmith@telus.net. bjsmith@telus.net. Your stories are appreciated. Your stories are also appreciated.