Author: Jo Bossart/ParrySounds.com

Flotsam and Jetsam – Late January Edition

General/Travel

Here are a couple of items that might not have floated past your field of view in the last couple of weeks. Let me know if you have any other items that may be of interest to this blog’s readers. (communications@parrysoundsquadron.ca)

For the Romantics: 30 Beautifully Haunting Shipwrecks From Around the World

For the Masochists: All You Need in a Boat: An 8-Foot Hot Tub and Four Coolers

And here is a scene from the past summer in the Parry Sound area to remind you how lucky we are to have access to the some of the finest boating waters in the world. The scene will be very familiar to many of you.

Parry Sound Sunset

Does Someone Need A Power Squadron Refresher?

Boating News, Courses/Training, Uncategorized, , ,

A couple of recent marine accidents make me wonder if some of the professionals need to take a Power and Sail Squadron refresher course. Perhaps navigation?

In the first case a professional pilot working in San Francisco Bay crashed an empty oil tanker into the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Apparently the damage was ‘relatively’ minor, but it is still somewhere north of $500,000. The pilot in question has had a few more ‘oops’ events in the last few years. Looks like he could use a navigation refresher. Here are some details.

The second more serious accident happened in New York City as one of the commuter ferries rammed into the dock injuring at least 57 people, 11 of them seriously. There may be some extenuating circumstances, but it still would be good for them to take a refresher. Here is a link to more information.

Taking a course with the Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron is a great way to learn important navigation and boat handling skills from experienced boaters and sailors. Here’s a link to more for more information.

Parry Sound October 2012

Flotsam and Jetsam – mid-December Issue

Activities, Courses/Training, People, , ,

The Beacon Star’s Season’s Greetings issue had a photo of future members of the squadron on their cover (bottom right). Their photo was taken as they rode on the squadron’s Santa Claus parade float a few weeks ago. Check it out; they had their life jackets on.

A squadron member has passed on a video link reinforcing why it’s a good idea to attach  furniture to the floor and/or wall when you head out to sea. Despite the video’s title it apparently is a Pacific Sun Cruise liner riding out a storm off the coast of New Zealand on July 30th 2010.

Happy holidays to all. It’s a great time to think about upgrading or refreshing your boating skills. Check out the Parry Sound squadron’s course offerings for 2013.

PSPS Santa Claus Float Successfully Launched

Activities, Courses/Training, Events and Presentations, Uncategorized, , ,

Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron and Sail Parry Sound successfully launched their jointly sponsored float in the Parry Sound Santa Claus parade this past Saturday. Thanks to the participation of a few dedicated members the float featured an Optimus class sailboat rigged with lights in the bed of a pickup truck. This was followed by a 21′ Scout dressed in garland and lights, carrying a crew of all ‘nice’ kids, and possibly ‘naughty’ supervising adults. All were properly equipped with life vests. The foot patrol of men and dog, similarly equipped with life vests, handed out safe boating course leaflets and mints.

You had to be there to have fully enjoyed it. Interested? We look forward to your participation next year. Here are a few photos from the parade. Happy holidays and safe boating. For information about upcoming boating courses please head to http://www.parrysoundboating.com.

 

Still Need Santa Claus Parade Volunteers

Activities, Events and Presentations,

Please contact us if you are interested in participating in the Parry Sound Santa Claus Parade as part of the Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron entry. In partnership with Sail Parry Sound we will be towing a 21′ outboard with lights and music behind a pickup, with a small sail boat in the back of the pick up.

We have room  for a couple of more people on the boat, and unlimited room for people to walk along with the float. All that is required is two feet, a heartbeat, and a life jacket to be worn over your winter jacket.

We are promoting boating safety and our in-town courses that start after the holidays.

Give us a call at 705/774-9350 or 705/342-1315, or email communications@parrysoundsquadron.ca, if you are interested.

Santa Claus Parade – Volunteers Required

Activities, Events and Presentations

The Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron, in partnership with Sail Parry Sound, will be entering a sail and power float into this year’s Parry Sound Santa Claus parade. We pretty much have the logistics worked out for what boats, what truck, what type of lights, etc.

What we need is people to sit on the boat, preferably with a kid or two, all wearing life jackets over your winter clothes. It would also be great to have people to walk along with the float and hand out Power Squadron information flyers.

Please let us know if you are interested in participating in any manner. You can reach us at communications@parrysoundsquadron.ca, or 774-9350. We can use all of the enthusiastic help we can get.

The parade is November 24th, from 4:30 to 6:00. You will need to be available around 4:00/4:15. We walk, or ride, from the corner of Joseph and Isabella Streets to the Stockey Centre. (It’s pretty much all downhill.)