Welcome to the November Vancouver Squadron Masthead.
We have put boating aside with the onset of colder weather but I know that there are many of you that will brave the elements and enjoy the serenity of quiet anchorages not filled with summer revelers. If you are one of these fearless boaters, maybe write an article of your experiences for the Masthead or maybe do a presentation at one of Squadron nights to show some of less hardy boaters how it's done!
We will again be hosting a social night at the False Creek Yacht club on November 21 with the entrance fee waived and a complimentary beverage. This is a great opportunity to meet up with fellow boaters and swap boating stories.
Our December meeting will be held December 12 with a potluck dinner. Dazzle everyone with your boating culinary skills while enjoying some Christmas cheer.
We still are looking for people to fill some of the Bridge positions. Being on the Bridge gives you the opportunity to help shape the direction of Vancouver Squadron. The health off the Squadron depends on volunteers stepping up to help for the boating safety and enjoyment of all. Don't be shy!
I look forward to seeing you at our social nights.
Elizabeth Zygmunt
Past-Commander
Squadron Vancouver night, Monday November 21 at the False Creek Yacht Club
False Creek Yacht Club (Top floor)
Doors Open at 7:00 pm
Event begins at 7:30 pm
Cash bar available
Parking at False Creek Yacht Club is limited. There is free parking in designated stalls in the open lot below and street parking is also available.
Join Vancouver Squadron’s social night on Monday November 21. Admission fee will be waived until further notice. In addition, everyone gets ONE free drink. This is a social to build camaraderie in our squadron. We may or may not have a speaker but come on down and enjoy the view while mingling with other Squadron members. Hope to see you there!
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UPCOMING BOATING COURSES
Boating 2/3 Classroom course starting January 24, 2023
Address: Prince of Wales School
2250 Eddington Drive
VANCOUVER, BC
Additional Information
The classes run for 12 sessions (interrupted by the school Spring Break) and start at 7:00 pm and end about 9:30 pm. The first half hour is spent reviewing homework and then is followed by a presentation by one of the instructors. An optional weekend day on the water is also planned. We reserve the right to cancel the class in the unlikely event there are insufficient numbers or if covid protocols subsequentially become too restrictive.
Pricing and Packages:
Boating 2 and 3 Combined with Printed Book
Non-Member Price
375.00 (Early Bird Discount $355.00 ends Jan 9th, 2023 Member Price
337.50 (Early Bird Discount $317.50) ends Jan 9th 2023
There is also an option for a Boating 2 and 3 Combined No Book option for a 2nd Family Member
Non-Member Price
260.00 (early Bird Discount $240.00 ends Jan 9th, 2023) Member Price
234.00 (early Bird Discount $214.00 ends Jan 9th 2023)
Start Time: 9:00 AM Address: St. James community Square, 3214 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, B.
Contact: Peter Bennett
(604) 817-4165 training.radio@vpsboat.org
To ensure that you will receive the course materials before the class, you should register at least two weeks before the class. Registration will not be accepted on the day of the class.
The fees for all courses are $135 for CPS Members, or $150 for non-members
Please be advised that the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has issued a notice of amendment, dated November 1, 2022, to inform members of the public, industry and other stakeholders of proposed updates to our Port Information Guide.
Our Port Information Guide outlines practices and procedures applicable to all ships operating within defined vessel operating areas in the port authority’s jurisdiction to support the safe and efficient movement of trade. From time-to-time the port authority makes amendments, in accordance with Section 56 of the Canada Marine Act.
Protection should not be reduced for Fin Whales in BC waters Threats increasing, species particularly vulnerable to collision with large vessels
Fin Whales are the second largest animals that have ever lived (Balaenoptera physalus to 25 metres long). Fin Whales were heavily impacted by industrial whaling in Canadian waters and received protection under Canada’s Species at Risk Act as a Threatened population in 2006. Of all whale species, Fin Whales are reported to be hit by large vessels more than any other.
The latest assessment report by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) makes recommendations that would reduce the protection of Fin Whales in British Columbian waters. The Government of Canada is considering this recommendation through a public consultation process, happening now.
We, representatives of the North Coast Cetacean Society and Marine Education and Research Society, hereby express our significant concerns. We call upon others to provide feedback via this consultation process that the protection of Fin Whales under Canada’ Species at Risk Act should not be reduced. Deadline for comment is December 2nd, 2022.
Population size for Fin Whales in British Columbian waters is not known to have recovered to what it was before industrial whaling and it is not known if the Fin Whale population is increasing in British Columbian waters. This is acknowledged in the COSEWIC report.
The threats Fin Whales face are likely to increase, rather than decrease.
Fin Whales are particularly susceptible to ship strike. In addition to a general increase in global shipping, LNG projects in British Columbia will increase the number of tankers and tugs transiting through Fin Whale habitat, amplifying risk of collision and impacts of underwater noise. From the COSEWIC report: “Vessel strikes are a significant source of human-caused mortality to Fin Whales in areas of intense shipping activity on both coasts. Multiple cases of Fin Whale carcasses being carried into ports on the bows of ships have been documented along both east and west coasts, although the actual rate of mortality is uncertain. Many fatal vessel strikes may be unreported as animals struck and killed are likely to sink and go undetected.”
Climate change is anticipated to impact the food supply of Fin Whales. Extreme climate variability already appears to have had an impact. It was implicated in the Unusual Mortality Event of Fin and Humpback Whales along the coast of BC and Alaska from 2015 to 2016.
Not enough is known about the population structure of the Fin Whales.
The COSEWIC assessment:
Presumes that all Fin Whales sighted in British Columbian waters belong to the same population. However, there is some evidence that there may be multiple populations in these waters. It is not even known where these Fin Whales breed.
Relies on the assumption that Fin Whales in British Columbian waters belong to the same population as Fin Whales in the waters of Washington, Oregon, California and Alaska and that these whales would immigrate into Canadian Pacific waters if the number of Fin Whales in BC waters decreased. This is known as the “rescue effect”. This is problematic because:
There is very little evidence to support that these Fin Whales all belong to the same population nor that there is interchange between these areas. To the contrary, there is research supporting that Fin Whales have strong site fidelity, returning to the same specific feeding areas in Canadian Pacific waters year-after-year. Fin Whales in these American waters are protected as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act.
Were Fin Whales to be downlisted to a species of Special Concern, the reduced protection under Canada’s Species at Risk Act would mean:
– No Recovery Strategy nor Action Plan to reduce threats.
– No prohibitions against killing, harming and harassing.
– No identification nor protection of critical habitat.
Click hereto provide comment through the public consultation period.
MASTHEAD EDITOR NEEDED
Purpose:
The editor of the squadron newsletter, “The Masthead” is responsible for assembling information
provided by squadron members and publishing it on line for circulation to squadron members
and access by the public.
Responsibilities:
Communicating with members of the Bridge
Attending Squadron nights once monthly at False Creek Yacht Club
Collecting information provided by members or other articles of interest for boaters for the newsletter.
Circulating the Newsletter electronically.
Skills, Attitudes, Knowledge Required:
Previous experience with the software system Mail Chimp would be an asset but is not necessary
Time Commitment:
Hours will vary based on the needs of the education department and other squadron activities. Actual editing could range from 2-5 hours/month.
Benefits:
A chance to take a CPS course at no charge
Meeting interesting people in the boating world
November 21, 2022: Squadron night, FCYC Speaker TBA
December 12, 2022: Squadron night, FCYC, POTLUCK dinner!
December 03, 2022: Maritime Radio Course, St. James Community Square
January 24, 2023 Boating 2/3 classroom course starts, Prince of Wales School
