The Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron Annual General Meeting will be held at the Museum on Tower Hill in Parry Sound on April 22, 2017 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. There will be more information as the meeting date approaches. We can be reached at info@parrysoundboating.ca.
Early April sunset on the Big Sound. Pretty, but not yet boating season.
The GeoBayCaching program we introduced a couple of years ago is undergoing an update and refresh. We have discovered that the cache containers we originally used were being abused by the locals, bears in at least one case, or decomposing as a result of the elements.
The new geocaches are now being built with commercial grade 4″ PVC pipe and fittings. They should stand up to the elements. We’ve added a red band to the caches that capture the sense of our local Red Rock Island Lighthouse.
Three of the new geocaches have been deployed by Commander John Mason in the past week. The new geocaches are located on The Pancakes, Franklin Island and Windsor Island. The idea of the GeoBayCache program is to encourage people to get out and explore, not play hide-and-seek. The locations of most of the geocaches are sufficiently out-of-the-way that there is no need to ‘hide’ them once you get close.
If you get out to a location and can’t find the geocache, please let us know (communications@parrysoundboating.ca). Here’s hoping that the geocaches don’t become collector items.
The New Power and Sail Squadron Geocaches
Canada will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year. As we approach that special birthday, Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron, invites boaters to prepare now.
Celebrate the First of July (149) by joining our Christmas in July Sail Past. Decorate your power boat like a lighted Christmas present or your sailboat like a Christmas tree and join us. You don’t have to be a member of CPS to participate, just have a boat.
Decorate your boat and join us behind Rosetta Island at 9:15 on July 1 – Canada Day.
Contact John Mason, 705.342.1315, or masonj@vianet.ca, for more information.
The Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron hosted the Voyageur District Power and Sail Squadron annual general meeting in Parry Sound this past weekend. A reception was held at the Parry Sound Area Museum on Tower Hill Friday evening, followed by the Voyageur District AGM Saturday morning at the Charles W. Stockey Centre. The Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron AGM was held Saturday afternoon.
The following Officers were elected to the Bridge of the Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron for 2106-2017:
Voyageur District Commander Elizabeth Appleton finally figures out what to do about the Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron Commander. Commander John Mason raises his hand in protest. ;=)
A two evening VHF instruction course with examination will be offered May 3rd and 10th, 2016, at Lakeland Long Term Care facility (beside the West Parry Sound District Hospital in Parry Sound).
The complete package with CD covers VHF marine radio and Digital Selective Calling (DSC). The course will prepare you for the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) and DSC Endorsement exams that will be administered on the second night with temporary licenses issued that evening for people successfully completing the exams.
To legally operate a maritime radio as an individual or business you need this certificate. The Maritime Radio course teaches emergency radio procedures as well as everyday operating techniques.
Register with John Mason in advance so course materials can be ordered.
705.342.1315, or masonj@vianet.ca.
Cost: Active Canadian Power and Sail Squadron members $80. Non-members $90.
Note: Students must come ready to show that they have memorized the Phonetic Alphabet: Alpha, Bravo, Charley… It is available online. Here is a link to get you started.
State of the Sound – March 3, 2016. Not Quite Ready for Boating.
Boating Essentials is the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron course that builds on the basic knowledge required for the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) and takes you to the next level in your boating education. Topics in this course include navigation, conning, plotting, course and local charting, GPS, anchoring, lines and ropes. The course is taught by qualified local instructors who have considerable knowledge and experience boating in and around Georgian Bay.
You receive a complimentary one-year Regular Membership in Power Squadron upon completion of the Boating Essentials course. Note: Boaters who do not currently have their PCOC may make arrangements with the instructor.
The course will be held one evening a week at the Parry Sound campus of Canadore College.
Course cost: $250.00 Students should register at Canadore Parry Sound for $165.00, seniors $144.70 The course materials costs, paid on the first night will bring the cost up to $250.00
Register by calling 705.746.9222, or through online at this link at Canadore College.
The Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron will be participating in this weekend’s Optimist Club sponsored Parry Sound Santa Claus parade. The action starts at 4:30 on Saturday November 28th, and the Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron will be there with a float. Interested in participating, or just walking along with the float (it’s a boat)? Give Commander John Mason a call at 705.342.1315.
Every year, Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron, invites boaters to Celebrate the First of July by joining a Christmas in July sail past. Just decorate your power boat like a lighted Christmas present, or your sailboat like a Christmas tree, and join us. You don’t have to be a member of CPS, just have a boat.
There are two possibilities:
The parade of lights will leave at 9:35 led by the OPP boat or Cambrian. We travel, in line, toward Parry Sound Marine then loop to travel along the east side of the concrete wharf — many cheers and halloos there. We try to get out past Bobs Point before the Island Queen returns from her evening cruise. We then tour toward the Old Town beach and Parry Sound Sailing School so the residents of Belvedere can see us. We try to get back and anchored for the fireworks.
If the Island Queen has returned and is holding position in the channel, there is often room to pass between the ship and breakwater. Skippers choice. Once past the breakwater you can move to starboard and take the green buoys to port. There is lots of depth there for our wee boats.
Of course, a skipper is responsible for his/her own boat. When and where and why you break off from the procession is up to you. Grandchildren can insist that fireworks are more important than a cruise past Belvedere.
One year in twenty, I remember a thunder storm that caused a change in plans. Once again, skipper’s choice.
After the sail past there is usually safe anchorage just inside or just outside Parry Sound harbor east or west of Big Sound Marina where you can watch fireworks.
After the fireworks there tends to be total confusion in the harbour. I usually leave my boat anchored and fire up ALL my lights until things quiet down. On other nights I have followed boats out toward the Sound – boats with no lights, boats with their red and green lights backwards. I find it best to wait.
Hope to see you at Rosetta this July 1.
John Mason Commander/Educational Officer CPS-ECP
Christmas in July – 2013
The Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron will be holding it’s Annual General Meeting on May 6th.
Notice of Parry Sound Squadron Annual General Meeting 2015
To All Bridge Officers, Graduates, Squadron members
Date: Wednesday May 6, 2015
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Parry Sound District Museum, (top of Tower Hill)
17 George St., Parry Sound
Chair: Commander John Mason, JN
Secretary: Jo Bossart
Agenda
A new book by author and Parry Sound Power and Sail member Steven Duff will be launched Saturday January 17th at the Parry Sound Public Library. The time is 1400 hours (2:00 PM). It should be a good read. I’ll see you at the launch.
JB – Communications Officer
Parry Sound Boating 