Editor s Message. March 2015

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Brittany Lawrence
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March 2015 www.boatingcourses.ca Editor s Message Well its almost here! Boating season is just around the corner!

Now is the time to start thinking about safety equipment and repairs and start planning for a great summer. Remember that CPS participates in the RVCC program with Transport Canada.

Just give the squadron near you a call. In the GTA area we are currently running lots of courses, check out the national website at www.boatingcourses.

1 March Editor s Message Well its almost here! Boating season is just around the corner! Looking forward to sun, being on the water and lots of good food and company coming up. Now is the time to start thinking about safety equipment and repairs and start planning for a great summer. Remember that CPS participates in the RVCC program with Transport Canada. See our ad on the next page. For absolutely free one of our trained officers will come right to your boat and check out your equipment to ensure you are safe and compliant. Just give the squadron near you a call. In the GTA area we are currently running lots of courses, check out the national website at to find out what is running near you. As always we hope you find our new newsletter informative and enjoyable. May the wind always be in your sails! Lynne Lockhurst (contact the editor at goodboater@gmail.com) Your VHF radio can be your best friend out on the water. Do you have your certificate yet? Does a family member need one? Check out find out when and where the next course near you will be held.

2 News from Ashbridges Bay submitted by Brian Lumley (Commander) Ashbridges Bay is working hard again and having another successful year. Between January and February Craig Stewart will train over 40 people in the ROC(M) VHF marine radio course. Our Boating Essentials Course has 14 students and the Boat & Engine Maintenance course has 14. Ashbridges Bay is one of the most active marine training squadrons in the country, we train upwards of four hundred people a year. Our squadron puts on a variety of marine training programs including monthly ROC(M) courses at ABYC our home base. On top of that we put on at least one large ROC(M) course at boat clubs or other marine gatherings. In the winter we put on two multi week courses and some full weekend courses. We also participate in the Rigging Shoppe seminars. Craig Stewart is our main trainer. He is always looking for the best ways to improve teaching techniques for marine education. Craig does introductory teaser seminars at various chandlers and interest groups promoting longer CPS courses as well as the shorter ones. Craig keeps himself up to date on all the latest marine radio gear and is a fountain of knowledge. He was awarded a Citation of Merit from the CPS Chief Commander this year at the AGM in Quebec City. The award was for his pioneering work in the new CPS webinar courses. Craig is in the process of developing a boating training simulator with his son. He is at the stage where he has shown it to us as a squadron and is considering the next steps to take. As with all projects of this nature there are directions that can be taken. He has done great work for us. We are sad to report that Morton Biback has resigned from the squadron bridge and will be missed. Morton has been a very resourceful and forward looking member of our squadron for the last fifteen years. Morton introduced the use of CDs as training tools to CPS. He wrote the Radar course and the Chart Plotting course. He is always looking at ways to promote CPS courses. As an example Morton and Craig have combined courses that were usually held as separate programs over several weeks and turned them into a single weekend long course complete with examination. Thank you Morton for the great work you have done for the Canadian Power and Sail squadrons over the years. You have definitely helped bring CPS into the twenty first century. The ABCPS Christmas party was a success with Craig Stewart demonstrating the boating simulator he has been working with. He is hoping the simulator will be cost effective for the squadrons. The party was organized by Eric Cliché and Cyndi Baron and we want to thank them for the fantastic work as the party was excellent. There will be a York East District Annual General Meeting on April 30th held at Fantasy Farm. Hors derives at 1815, meeting at 1900 with dinner to follow. Ashbridges Bays next squadron event will be the Annual General Meeting in May. If training or being a member of the Ashbridges Bay bridge is something that interests you please let us know. We will find a spot for you. Thank you and have a safe season; Brian Lumley, AP, Commander, Ashbridges Bay CPS

Ten personal 'sailing essentials' for cruising on someone else's boat by John Jamieson/Sail-World Oct 14, 2014 Cast off on a cruise on someone else's boat and you'll want to remember to pack those

You may want to pack the following So you are prepared for anything: 1. Sailing Knife - A knife will cut through sailing rope or free a Genoa sheet wrapped around your leg.

3 Ten personal 'sailing essentials' for cruising on someone else's boat by John Jamieson/Sail-World Oct 14, 2014 Cast off on a cruise on someone else's boat and you'll want to remember to pack those basic essentials that form the foundation of your personal 'sailing ditty bag Think of limited space and weight Limit your baggage to two soft-sided, soft-bottom bags. You may want to pack the following So you are prepared for anything: 1. Sailing Knife - A knife will cut through sailing rope or free a Genoa sheet wrapped around your leg. The marlinspike helps pry open strands of rope for splicing. 2. Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and Sailing Harness - Pack your own PFD and sailing harness. You want to ensure a good fit to be safe. 3. Caps and Hats - You need protection from the sun, the cold, and rain. 4. Foul Weather Gear - Pack a full set of foul weather jacket and bib-pants. 5. Under Garments - Pack thick, heavy socks to wear with sea boots. These protect your heels to ward off blisters. 6. Sailing Gloves - Sailing lines can cause blisters or 'rope burn', where the line runs out fast between your hands. 7. Oversized Plastic Freezer Bags - Crazy as it sounds, zip-lock type bags are worth their weight in gold. Pack of these. Use them to segregate clothes so you don't have to dig in a bag (i.e. one for socks, one for t-shirts etc) Use them for dirty clothes to cut down on odors. 8. Personal Grab-Bag - If you need to leave the boat in an emergency, you need one bag that you can grab-and-go 9. Seasick Medications 10. Hand and Head-band Lights - Carry your own flashlight. A head-band light for hands free chart navigation. Pack at least three changes of batteries for each type of light. Be safe and compliant next year, when boating season starts get a FREE RVCC (Recreational Vehicle Courtesy Check) from Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons get a safety inspection sticker. CPS-ECP works in partnership with Transport Canada s Boating Safety Contribution Program; we will help ensure that you and your family have an enjoyable and safe summer on the water. Just contact us through or through the squadron nearest you, and for absolutely FREE get a Courtesy Check from one of our Boating Safety Specialists. We will come right to your marina or launch ramp and verify that you have all the required safety equipment on board.

4 Squadron News and Upcoming Events! North Halton For info contact Beef Boast: March St. Alban s

CPS simulator at the boat Show by Brian Lumley The new boating simulator from the USPS had a great test run at the Toronto International Boat Show.

5 CPS simulator at the boat Show by Brian Lumley The new boating simulator from the USPS had a great test run at the Toronto International Boat Show. It was set up at a major intersection with the new CPS booth and gathered a lot of attention. From youth groups to experienced boaters and even experienced seamen. The red buttons on the steering wheel allow the operator to turn 180 in either direction. The compass, horn, speed and tachometer work. The throttle has trim tabs for high speed and planning. There is a night mode and the boat lights work. A current and a wind of 25 knots can be set independently from any direction. There is a basic paper chart with no depths or compass rose but is very simple and easy to follow once you get oriented. The simulator had a variety of scenarios with challenges and sets of instructions. I the person sitting behind the wheel had a variety of options and could pick what they wanted to do. In the Fairway of the marina mode you had access to the docks and the whole lake. At the marina you can dock the boat on the face of several docks or in slips either forwards or backwards. You could add wind and current as potential obstacles. The Fairway mode let you have options to practice tight circle manoeuvring in an enclosed basin or docking between boats. You can also leave the marina and protected waters through a marked channel avoiding traffic. The big sailboat would run you down! The shoreline is distinctively creative with buildings, trees and hills. The ability to see 180 in both directions allows the operator to con the way back in off the lake to the marina or to find the different areas and activities provided on the lake. On the lake the operator has the option to go around it and explore the shoreline or go through the slalom course. The boats on the north end of the lake will avoid you until you change to Avoidance and Overtaking mode. In this mode the boat you are operating can be capsized or knocked off course by the other boats. I found enough options that as an instructor/trainer I had the material to create a unique scenario for each operator. The instructor/trainer can offer a variety of experiential and personal testing procedures depending on the inclination of the operator. The T in simulator stands for Tool not toy. Simulators are a proven and very valuable way of training a person to use a vehicle. I believe training improves the skills and confidence of both the novice and the experienced operators with the touch of experiential sensations. Seeing the movement of the boat on the monitors is enough to make the operator sense motion. The simulator has a lot of room to expand. It could also be programmed with weather, VHF Marine radio, chart plotting, radar, etc. While demonstrating the simulator at the Boat Show I had the opportunity to meet a variety of people. One lady came by with her two sons, they took an interest so I let them tryout the simulator. She was looking at the set up like a professional. She told me the value of the hardware and about the complexities of the program while her children evaluated it. She worked for a simulator manufacturer near Ottawa that made large professional units. She gave it an overall good potential tool nod. Overall I feel the simulator is a very good tool that will grow into our CPS training programs. I think the creativity of the instructors will be the key to popular use of the simulator. Brian Lumley, AP, Commander and Trainer/Instructor, Ashbridges Bay Squadron

Our course offerings, remember - The PCOC card will get you out on the water but a CPS-ECP Boating Course will get you home safely!

On passing receive your PCOC card the CPS-ECP PCOC Card is recognized in BOTH Canada and the USA. Can be ordered as EPub. Family members use your books, great discount!

ca VHF Maritime Radio ROC (M) This complete package with CD, and the new Digital Selective Calling, will prepare you for the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with DSC Endorsement exam.

6 Our course offerings, remember - The PCOC card will get you out on the water but a CPS-ECP Boating Course will get you home safely! For more information or to register for any of the courses, go to Boating Basics - PCOC This study guide meets all the standards established by Transport Canada. On passing receive your PCOC card the CPS-ECP PCOC Card is recognized in BOTH Canada and the USA. Can be ordered as EPub. Family members use your books, great discount! No time for classes, get your card on-line now at VHF Maritime Radio ROC (M) This complete package with CD, and the new Digital Selective Calling, will prepare you for the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with DSC Endorsement exam. To operate a Maritime/VHF radio, you MUST have a Restricted Operator s Certificate (Maritime). It s the law! Can be ordered as EPub. On passing receive your VHF certificate! VHF Maritime Radio ROC (M) - DSC Update seminar also offered: This seminar will appeal to holders of the ROC(M) card issued before January 1st 2005 and upon passing will get you your DSC certification. Boating Essentials Enjoyment and safety on the water require knowledge. So you have your PCOC card, that gets you out on the water, then take our Boating Essentials course and learn how to get back safely. Topics covered include; magnetic compass, global positioning and charts, navigation, conning, plotting and more will increase your boating knowledge and make your adventures on the water safe and enjoyable. Can be ordered as EPub. Seamanship Do you know what to do if a boat on fire calls you for help? Can you deal with emergencies on your own boat? Build your confidence on the water, learn relative bearings, knots and splicing, medical emergencies, coping with adverse weather, and much more. Knowledge makes your boating experience enjoyable and safe! Advanced Piloting The next step up from Seamanship learn to use a variety of electronic devices to chart your course and enable you to plan under any condition. Learn about dead reckoning, fixes and running fixes and attain a high degree of proficiency in navigating through coastal waters (GPS, Chart Plotters, Radar, SONAR, Autopilots and more.) Junior Navigator When the GPS ceases to work, be guided by the sun. This is the first of a two-course program of Offshore Navigation for the recreational boater. Learn to use a marine sextant to derive lines of position and a running fix from sights on the sun. When you are boating offshore, remember that GPS is not infallible, nor always available. Be confident when no aids to navigation or land objects are in sight. Global Navigation Use the stars to find your way. This is the second of a two-course program of Offshore Navigation Whether the voyage be long or short, it introduces you to route. The art and science of celestial navigation is still a valuable asset to the offshore boaters. This course provides the student with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills of celestial navigation involving the use of a sextant for taking sights on the sun, planets, moon, and stars.

Boat & Engine Maintenance Keep the water on the other side of the wall! From spark plugs to bottom paint, this course covers all the basics for the do it yourself boater.

The dream of owning, and maintaining your own boat without great expense can be achieved through the completion of this course. We recommend it because... PEACE OF MIND IS PRICELESS!

Through this course you will become confident in your boat by understanding seaworthiness, stability, and other design concepts.

- Want to cruise coastal waters, experience remote anchorages far from home? Then this course is a must.. Sailing - Do you want to learn more about sailing?

Whether you are new or experienced, this course covers the practical as well as the theoretical basics of sailing and sailing seamanship.

handling to reefing; from leaving the dock to mooring and anchoring. It also covers sailing safety, navigation rules, and sailing tactics.

You will learn to navigate using GPS and paper charts as well as electronic charting devices.

Radar for Pleasure Craft - This course covers the different types of RADAR equipment, their capabilities and limitations. Understand the available features and how they apply to your needs.

The wise boater respects and anticipates Mother Nature s many moods. Beyond red sky in the morning, this course provides boaters to read the sky and sea for optimum boating safety.

7 Boat & Engine Maintenance Keep the water on the other side of the wall! From spark plugs to bottom paint, this course covers all the basics for the do it yourself boater. Learn how to prevent onboard problems. We feature practical information and handy tips suitable for both new and existing boat owners. The dream of owning, and maintaining your own boat without great expense can be achieved through the completion of this course. We recommend it because... PEACE OF MIND IS PRICELESS! Extended Cruising Are you ready to cut the ties that bind? Extended Cruising is an essential first step in understanding the elements of the long-distance passage under sail or power. Through this course you will become confident in your boat by understanding seaworthiness, stability, and other design concepts. You will gain awareness of the maintenance required for critical systems, passage planning, provisioning, and visiting foreign countries, safety issues, emergency preparedness and weather tips. - Want to cruise coastal waters, experience remote anchorages far from home? Then this course is a must.. Sailing - Do you want to learn more about sailing? Do you want to improve your sailing skills & your understanding of how sails work? Whether you are new or experienced, this course covers the practical as well as the theoretical basics of sailing and sailing seamanship. The range of topics is broad: from a description of different sailboat rigs, sail plans; from sailing at different points of sail to handling heavy weather and storm conditions; from spinnaker handling to reefing; from leaving the dock to mooring and anchoring. It also covers sailing safety, navigation rules, and sailing tactics. Electronic Navigation This course will allow the pleasure craft operator to navigate safely knowing his exact location at all times. You will learn to navigate using GPS and paper charts as well as electronic charting devices. It includes a CD containing a number of charts and a full scale simulator of a chart plotter to help you learn by doing. Join others to share experiences and knowledge. Radar for Pleasure Craft - This course covers the different types of RADAR equipment, their capabilities and limitations. Understand the available features and how they apply to your needs. Learn to navigate using RADAR, and to determine where you are. Fundamentals of Weather Winds, waves, fog, lightning, hail, tornadoes. hurricanes! The wise boater respects and anticipates Mother Nature s many moods. Beyond red sky in the morning, this course provides boaters to read the sky and sea for optimum boating safety. Global Weather - Global Weather expands on concepts introduced in the Fundamentals of Weather. Study more advance topics. Learn about measurements such as air pressure, dew point, temperature, and wind direction to sharpen your forecasting skills. Navigating with GPS Introducing you to the versatile Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Learn simple explanations of the system which makes GPS such an effective navigational aid as well as methods of extracting navigational information from your equipment. Electronic Charting This course is the next level to Navigating with GPS. Learn about different kinds of electronic charting development, advantages and disadvantages, and how to use them. Get the latest information about connecting your GPS to a laptop, desktop, PDA or tablet computer, and navigational programs. CD with over 200 electronic charts included. Remember, we take great pride in offering you the very best boating courses out there. Check out to find out course offerings near you!

8 Classifieds: Send your pictures and info to to post them in the next newsletter! Include your CPS-ECP membership ID number and its Free! Classifieds are free for CPS-ECP members, just include your membership number with your submission. Ads should be no more than 20 words in length, send pictures if you have them, make sure you include your contact information for the ad. Non CPS-ECP members $35.00 per ad, will run for one edition. Would you like to advertise your business, special rates apply, please contact All material provided in this newsletter is intended as information only. While all efforts have been taken to ensure accuracy of the information, anyone who acts on the basis of information provided will have to exercise caution and judgment. We cannot be liable for loss or damage or other inconvenience suffered by any one as a result of reading and using anything provided in this newsletter.

Please contact our Education Officer if you are interested in any of these courses.

Please contact our Education Officer if you are interested in any of these courses. Lt/Cdr Jack McKinnon, AP 770-365-9576 or Jakmck@frontier.com Elective Courses Six Elective Courses are offered by USPS.