May 11, 2021
Save on Safer for the Environment Boat Care Products
In the late 1970’s myself and a lady friend decided leave our corporate positions to spend 3 years backpacking around the globe. Already having a bent to being Eco friendly people, this odyssey was a real shock to both of us.
May 11, 2021
Why Should My Squadron Offer Recreational Vessel Courtesy Checks (RVCCs)?
Finally after a few years without funding I can talk about why Squadrons should offer Recreational Vessel Courtesy Checks (RVCCs). We have now received funding from Transport Canada for the next three years.
May 11, 2021
Safe Boating Awareness Week, May 22 – 28
Since 1995, Safe Boating Awareness Week has been the mainstay of boating safety to over 16 million people who recreate on Canadian waters. The 2021 campaign will still be reaching out to Canadian boaters but, due to Covid-19, will be a little different in many ways.
April 21, 2021
Instagram Photo of the Month
CPS-ECP has been posting wonderful photos on Instagram during the last few months. During the month of March this was our top photo by Valentin Bacalu.
April 21, 2021
Submit Your Boating Stories
The Port Hole has been, and remains, very effective in getting the word out nationally on CPS-ECP programs and, by extension, members’ involvement in those initiatives. This is a wonderful opportunity that relatively few organizations can boast of.
April 21, 2021
Tide and Currents
Last year, Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons offered a series of free monthly online Webinars, based on a number of educational seminars that had been produced for our squadrons to present at marinas and yacht clubs. About a 100 persons registered for each of these very interesting presentations.
April 6, 2021
Presentations on Marine Mammals and Boater Safety and Stewardship Are Available!
Get ready for the upcoming boating season by reviewing your knowledge of safe boating practices around large whales! In February, two presentations were provided at the first ever virtual Vancouver International Boat Show by Environmental Committee member Jackie Hildering.
April 6, 2021
It’s Back – Safety and Flare Return Days 2021
News that we have been waiting for. At the end of March the CPS-ECP Executive Committee approved our request to continue the Safety and Flare Return Days program for 2021 following strict Covid Protocols that will be provided to the Squadrons who offer events this year.
April 6, 2021
SAVE more, BOAT more. Discover Dock Links.
Dock Links is a membership discount program designed with boaters in mind. Members receive exclusive access to savings at participating marina’s, restaurants and retail locations across Ontario.
April 6, 2021
National Volunteer Week 2021
This 20th year that the National Volunteer Week campaign is being delivered by Volunteer Canada. Of the 12.7 million volunteers in Canada CPS-ECP has nearly two thousand of them helping in local communities and our national community.
March 24, 2021
Instagram Photo of the Month
CPS-ECP has been posting wonderful photos on Instagram during the last few months. During the month of February this was our top photo by Valentin Bacalu.
March 24, 2021
Just Ask John – Are flags worn or flown
Here is a question that was sent to me by one of our members and I was not able to answer it. I am passing it on to our newsletter to see if anyone can provide an answer:
March 24, 2021
Have a VHF Radio? Get Your Required Restricted Operator Certificate
This Maritime Radio ONLINE SELF-STUDY program is a completely integrated version of Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons Maritime Radio classroom course. It includes an online course manual and supporting learning materials.
March 9, 2021
See a Blow? Go Slow!
For the sake of boater and whale safety, it is really important to know that baleen whales, like Humpback Whales, are very different from whales, dolphins and porpoises who have teeth. Toothed cetaceans, like Orca, have biosonar by which they can form an acoustic image of their surroundings.
March 9, 2021
Board of Directors Applications Due March 31
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP) is accepting applications for Director positions from you the members of CPS-ECP. Successful candidates will be nominated to the Board of Directors at the 2021 Annual General Meeting.
March 9, 2021
Choosing the right PFD
Finding the right PFD can seem like a daunting task and extends beyond finding one that fits and floats. After all, not all vests work for all people, and no one vest works well for all activities.
February 23, 2021
Board of Directors Applications Due March 31
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP) is accepting applications for Director positions from you the members of CPS-ECP, both men and woman.
February 23, 2021
The Problem of Plastics
Dr. Peter Ross and his colleagues published about microplastics in Nature Communications in January. The article, Pervasive distributions of polyester fibres in the Arctic Ocean is driven by Atlantic inputs, states that: “Particle abundance correlated with longitude, with almost three times more particles in the eastern Arctic compared to the west…
February 23, 2021
New Training Season for CPS-ECP
Boat sales have exploded to the point where salespeople have to put customers on waiting lists. The 2021 boating season will see many new boaters on all waterways who are still unaware of all they do not know yet about safe boat operation.
February 9, 2021
Instagram Photo of the Month
CPS-ECP has been posting wonderful photos on Instagram during the last few months. During the month of January this was our top photo by Valentin Bacalu.
February 9, 2021
Submit Your Boating Stories
The Port Hole has been, and remains, very effective in getting the word out nationally on CPS-ECP programs and, by extension, members’ involvement in those initiatives. This is a wonderful opportunity that relatively few organizations can boast of.
February 9, 2021
CHS Digital Transformation Initiative
The Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) is transforming the way it delivers high-quality data and services to clients, in a timely manner. This means modernizing traditional CHS products and a transition to digital access and delivery for users.
February 9, 2021
CPS-ECP Member Insurance
Cowan Insurance is proud to be one of the most recognized marine pleasure craft insurance providers in Canada. We have partnered with CPS-ECP to provide exclusive coverage to its members.
February 9, 2021
Don’t miss Solo, Non-stop Circumnavigator Bert terHart during the Virtual Vancouver Boat Show
On July 18 2020 Bert terHart arrived back in Victoria after having spent 265 days at sea alone, becoming the first North American to sail solo, non-stop around the world using only traditional navigational tools.
January 27, 2021
Board of Directors Applications Due March 1
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP) is accepting applications for Director positions from you the members of CPS-ECP, both men and woman.
January 27, 2021
Be Safe Around Cold Water This Year!
If you’re a first responder, work or just spend time recreating on or near cold water, this workshop is for you. You will learn everything you need to know to survive an accidental cold-water immersion and also how to help others who may have become hypothermic. It is hosted by the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC), delivered over “Zoom” and will cover…
January 27, 2021
Call for online tutors to assist in the delivery of CPS-ECP Boating courses
Squadrons for Coast to Coast have taken up the challenge of delivering the CPS-ECP Boating Series of courses online during these challenging times.
January 13, 2021
Instagram Photo of the Month
CPS-ECP has been posting wonderful photos on Instagram during the last few months. During the month of December Mirror Lake was our top photo by Valentin Bacalu.
January 13, 2021
Have Your Say By Jan. 15 – Proposed Changes to Pleasure Craft Licensing Program
Transport Canada announces proposed changes to the Pleasure Craft Licensing (PCL) Program and the Lets Talk Transportation consultation web site which will remain open for comments until January 15, 2021.
January 13, 2021
Membership Renewal Update
The main renewal period for CPS-ECP membership will soon be starting. For those who registered and renewed their membership in the new management system in 2020, will receive a renewal notice, or when they login to the CPS-ECP Website, the Renew Membership Tab will show up in the Membership dropdown on the main front page.
December 16, 2020
Board of Directors Applications Due March 1
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP) is accepting applications for Director positions from you the members of CPS-ECP, both men and woman.
December 16, 2020
Want to Learn Celestial Navigation? Online Courses Start this Winter
This is the second of a two-course program of Offshore Navigation program for the recreational boater. It introduces the navigator to route planning for going offshore, may the voyage be long or short. While overshadowed by the new electronic systems, the art and science of celestial navigation is still a valuable asset to the offshore boaters.
December 16, 2020
Staying Home This Winter? Take a CPS-ECP Online Course!
Boating is just like any other skill that requires enough experience to feel confident on the water. The more knowledge you acquire, the more enjoyable it is for you and everyone else
December 16, 2020
2020 – That Was the Year That Was!
I’ve just been reading my 2019 Christmas message. Never, ever, at this time last year would any of us have foreseen what was awaiting us as 2020 started. I talked about changing direction but did not imagine that it would happen like it has.
December 2, 2020
Access your CPS-ECP member benefits
CPS-ECP members this is a reminder to ALWAYS log into the members area of www.cps-ecp.ca website in order to access current Member Benefits Sponsors and/or Suppliers and to confirm their discount code.
December 2, 2020
Environmental update
The environmental session from our October 23rd 2020 AGM was recorded and can be watched at this link. The session features an introduction by Jack Adams, Chair of the Environmental Committee and content by Jackie Hildering in which she outlines how to safely share the waters with our giant neighbours: whales.
December 2, 2020
Just Ask John – Hot Off The Press
Transport Canada announces proposed changes to the Pleasure Craft Licensing (PCL) Program and the Lets Talk Transportation consultation web site which will remain open for comments until January 15, 2021.
November 17, 2020
Take our Online Boating 2 and 3 Courses this Winter!
The PCOC makes sure you have immediate navigation and safety skills but it’s just the beginning of what you should know when you get on a boat. In the second of our Boating Series, you are introduced to the art of navigation, anchoring, ropes, lines and knots – not to mention what to expect when the boat is moving under power.
November 17, 2020
Man Overboard!
Prevention is the best solution to avert man-overboard (MOB) accidents before they happen. Take every precaution to avoid such a situation. A passenger or crew member can tumble overboard at any time and under any conditions. If someone must go on deck in any but the most calm weather, wear a safety harness attached to a proper jack line or suitable strong point on the boat.