August 24, 2021
You Are the Eyes and Ears of the Canadian Safe Boating Awards
Summer is in full swing with Canadians enjoying time outside and on the water. So, while enjoying these activities, consider taking a moment to nominate an individual/organization for one of the Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBAs).
August 24, 2021
Update from the CPS-ECP Environment Committee
Know before you go: if you see a blow, go slow! With the boating season in full swing, it’s important for vessel operators to review Canada’s Marine Mammal Regulations and ensure they know how to legally and safely boat when whales are in the area.
August 24, 2021
Maritime Radio Course – ROC(M)
One of our most popular courses is the ROC(M) radio course. Some students for this course are professionals who navigate as part of their job: members of the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary, military, ferry employees or dock workers in marinas.
August 24, 2021
Final Reminder for Past Due Members
Have you registered your Membership in the new CPS-ECP database? Have you renewed your 2020 membership yet? Do you know a member who has yet to register in the new system?Time is Running out! Do It Now!!!!
August 11, 2021
Instagram Photo of the Month
CPS-ECP has been posting wonderful photos on Instagram during the last few months. During the month of July this was our top photo by Vanessa Schmidt.
August 11, 2021
The Port Hole Is Only As Strong As Your Involvement Is
For The Port Hole to fulfill its mandate to keep CPS-ECP members across Canada informed of events and activities unique to the organization as well as new trends and technologies emerging from the boating world, your submitted contributions in the form of words or images, or both, are vital.
August 11, 2021
Get Your Summer Safely Underway with C-Tow Marine Assistance
With long summer days stretching out before us, Canadian mariners are looking to enjoy full, free days on the water. But, as Michael Smith says, “When you have a boat, something is going to go wrong.”
August 11, 2021
Time Is Running Out
Time is running out for those members who have not registered in the new CPS-ECP database or renewed their membership in 2020. This special window of opportunity to renew without having to reapply for membership ends August 31, 2021.
July 20, 2021
CPS-ECP Environmental Committee Update
Reminder from the National Environmental Committee: Before you sail, know the rules about whales! Make sure you have a pleasant and safe boating season this year by reviewing your knowledge of safe boating practices around large whales.
July 20, 2021
ANEO Course Production
The Education department is continually working on its courses, and during the pandemic is no different. The focus changed to providing courses online, and many were converted to the Moodle platform.
July 20, 2021
CPS-ECP dues increase – your comments
As one would expect, the proposed increase in the annual dues paid by CPS-ECP members has drawn a fair number of comments, both for and against the increase. Here’s a sampling of what we’ve heard from CPS-ECP members regarding the proposed increase that will be voted upon at this October’s national convention and AGM.
July 7, 2021
Instagram Photo of the Month
CPS-ECP has been posting wonderful photos on Instagram during the last few months. During the month of June this was our top photo by Valentin Bacalu.
July 7, 2021
Aqua Map Live Sharing
Live Sharing is the brand-new functionality that allows every user to share his/her Boat and Navigation info with the entire Aqua Map Community. Enabling this function, you will be able to display on your nautical charts all currently active Aqua Map users and easily find boating/sailing friends in your area. But that’s not all…!
June 22, 2021
Weather To Boat App Now Available
The Weather to Boat app is now available to download for FREE in the app stores. Dynamic, Powerful, FREE…. and most important… it could save YOUR LIFE!
June 22, 2021
Instagram Photo of the Month
CPS-ECP has been posting wonderful photos on Instagram during the last few months. During the month of May this was our top photo by Valentin Bacalu.
June 22, 2021
Calling For Award Nominations
Attention all District Commanders, Squadron Commanders and Officers – this has been another Covid year, however, it is time to send in your CPS-ECP Award Nominations for the following awards…
June 22, 2021
The greatest benefit I got from my membership in CPS-ECP
I’m going to share with you what the French call a “secret de Polichinelle.” This expression refers to something that everyone knows even if it is passed on as a secret. You call it an “open secret.”
June 22, 2021
You Could Win $5,000 in Cash!
You could win one of 36 $5,000 cash prizes just for getting a quote on car or home insurance or telling us your policy renewal date. The sooner you enter, the better! Not only will you have more chances to win, but you could also start saving on insurance sooner.
June 9, 2021
Ocean Day webinars
In honour of World Ocean Day on June 8th, the Marine Education and Research Society is pleased to invite you to a webinar by Jackie Hildering, aka The Marine Detective, CPS-ECP’s very own Environmental Committee member.
June 9, 2021
Icom: CPS-ECP’s proud sponsor
Icom has won many awards for their marine communications equipment across their entire family of products. Commercial mariners and boating enthusiasts alike covet Icom marine radios for their legendary durability and ease of use.
June 9, 2021
Have your flares expired?
If your flares have a manufacture date of 2017 or earlier they have or will expire this year. You can’t light them, throw them in the water or in your household garbage to dispose of them.
June 9, 2021
CPS-ECP’s proposed dues increase: same great value for pennies a day
For all that has changed over the close to 154 years since Confederation, one undeniable truth remains intact: there is something uniquely special about being Canadian. So, it follows that there’s something both compelling and satisfying about belonging to an organization that has at its core like-minded Canadians.
May 25, 2021
Instagram Photo of the Month
CPS-ECP has been posting wonderful photos on Instagram during the last few months. During the month of April this was our top photo by Valentin Bacalu.
May 25, 2021
Dropping Anchor? Remember Seafloor Resources Require Protection
As the name implies, marine parks include aquatic as well as terrestrial park areas. Protection of the seafloor is even more essential than conservation of park terrestrial features because the seafloor damage is unseen.
May 25, 2021
CPS-ECP Volunteers teach to save lives!
I will begin this note by quoting a memorable statement from retired commander Chuck Beall, AP: –”We are saving lives! “. With this statement, he wanted to summarize in the simplest terms the purpose of the existence of CPS-ECP.
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.