Canadian Power & Sail Squadron - Pender Island Squadron
2008-2009 PENDER ISLAND COURSE SCHEDULE
BOATING (leads to PCOC) : STARTS Sept 4th; ENDS Dec 11; EXAM Dec 18
MARINE MAINTENANCE: TBA
FUNDAMENTALS OF WEATHER: TBA
RADAR: TBA
ELECTRONIC CHARTING: TBA
Also Being Planned : PILOTING, ADVANCED PILOTING, NAVIGATING WITH GPS, GLOBAL WEATHER, MARITIME RADIO
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT TO:
GARY @ 250.629.3977
NICK @ 250.629.6187
All Canadian boat operators will be required to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) by September 15, 2009. It is currently required for:
1) Those operating a power-driven vessel 4 meters in length or less. This applies to personal watercraft (PWC) as well as dinghies with motors, and
2) Those born after 1 April 1983, operating any motor-driven vessel.
The card is awarded following the successful completion of a Canadian Coast Guard accredited test. Also note that those under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult at least 16 years old to operate a vessel with a motor greater than 10hp. For a 40hp motor, those aged 12-16 must also be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age to operate a PWC is 16 years.
The Canadian Power and Sail Squadron (CPS) Boating Course, offered by the Pender Island Squadron, convenes weekly September through December. It is an excellent way to learn the basics of navigation and safety, and to obtain the PCOC. You can meet fellow mariners and take the course in a structured way. Instructors are typically very thorough and enthusiastic, and some have won national teaching awards. The Pender Island Squadron is part of the Vancouver Island South District, www.visd.org, which contains a link to the Pender Island Squadron's newsletter. The National CPS number is 1.888.CPS.BOAT and web site is www.cps-ecp.ca.
The Pender Island Squadron also teaches Pender Island Grade 8 students the Boat Pro boating safety course, an abbreviated version of the more thorough Boating Course. Students who pass the exam receive the PCOC. Other CPS courses taught on Pender Island during the winter include Fundamentals of Weather and Global Weather, VHF Radio operator's certification and the advanced courses Piloting, Advanced Piloting and Marine Maintenance.
Pender Island Yacht Club (PIYC)
The PIYC was originally formed in the 1970's, and emerged in the 1990's as a large club with sixty boats, three-quarters of which are sailboats. The PIYC has no marina or clubhouse facilities, which makes membership fees inexpensive. The purpose of the club is to promote cruising and racing, good seamanship and sponsorship of junior sailing. PIYC organizes races from October through April on Friday mornings. Cruising excursions take place in the summer, which may last one day, several days, or extended periods to local destinations or even Desolation Sound. Meetings are held the third Monday of every month, October through April. See the Pender Post for the PIYC's latest adventures and contact information. A member of the Council of BC Yacht Clubs, www.cbcyachtclubs.ca.