Introducing the new Chief Commander
Oct 24, 2019
Peter Bolton was elected the Chief Commander of CPS-ECP during our annual AGM on October 19th. He has a great history within CPS-ECP and passion for boating. Here is Peter’s Biography:
“After retiring from just under 40 years in the aviation industry and living next to the water in the beautiful Comox Valley on Vancouver Island I decided to take up boating. After taking the Boating Course I joined the famous Cape Lazo Squadron and was immediately “inducted” on to the Bridge. I served as Squadron Secretary, Executive Officer and Commander and am currently involved as Assistant Educational Officer for Advanced Courses and enjoy being involved teaching parts of Seamanship (B4) and Advanced Piloting (B5). I help out with Radar, Electronic Navigation and Maritime Radio courses when needed and I am an RI and RE.
I joined Vancouver Island North Bridge in 2006 and served as Membership Officer, District Training Officer, Executive Officer and finally as DC from 2013 to 2015. I was elected to the Board of Directors in 2016 and worked with Linda Hamilton on the Branding Committee and then served as National Administration Officer in 2017, National Educational Officer in 2018 and National Executive Officer in 2019.
I am a member of Station 60 RCM-SAR, serving as a coxswain and have completed over 90 missions in the 14 plus years I have been with them. My RCM-SAR volunteer time has been restricted recently by my CPS-ECP ExCom duties, but I try to get my monthly training when I can. This volunteer job has helped my on-the-water experience and helped to build confidence and boat handling skills. I attended the Canadian Coast Guard RHIOT course in Bamfield in October 2011 where I was the “granddaddy” of the course. Imagine cruising in a RHIB in the dark at 25 knots using a chart, a compass and a stop-watch – no GPS, no radar – only the instructor had access to those for the safety watch. Hard work but very enjoyable and a great experience.
My wife Diane and I bought “Aquarius” a 32 ft Eaglecraft aluminium power boat in 2005 and we have had great fun and many interesting experiences boating up the East side of Vancouver Island from Port Sidney in the south to Port McNeil and the Broughton Islands in the north. A couple of years ago we were able to assist one of our fellow boaters by towing them from Cortes Island to Heriot Bay on Quadra Island when they lost their inboard-outboard leg in a collision with a dead head. RCM-SAR training and CPS-ECP experience put to good use.
Diane and I have two daughters and four grandchildren and have been able to visit them in UK and had much enjoyment watching them grow. Also, we enjoy walking when we visit the English Lake District.”
– Peter Bolton, Commander in Chief
