Marine VHF frequency usage and restrictions in Canada are set by Industry Canada
Spectrum Management and Operations Branch. www.OffshoreBlue.com has neatly summarized the Canadian marine VHF frequency usage in a table.

Historically, the Club has been using Channel 71 for intership communications during our on the water get meetups for years. The Spectrum Management and Operations Branch has restricted Channel 71  for “Ship Movement — BCC {British Columbia Coast (Pacific Coast) area}”.

During a recent cruising event our members were directed to stay off of Channel 71 by Victoria Coast Guard because it is a “working channel”.

According to the www.OffshoreBlue.com’s VHF frequency usage table channels 67, 68, 69, 72, and 87 are available for the Club’s use. Further discussion on the Club’s channel selection will be raised during our Club Night this September. In the interim we will use channel 72 for intership communication in Canadian waters.

Our sailing season is in full swing with three successful MacEvents under our belts this year. The next event is the PAST COMMODORE’S CRUISE.

This is a reminder that we will be holding a ZOOM® meeting to discuss the Cruise. The ZOOM® meeting will be held on July 14, 2022. Due to the summer hours, we will be starting the meeting an hour later than our usual time. The meeting will be, starting at 08:00 PM (PDT).

Click on the link below for log in information. The login information is on the Past Commodore’s Cruise event page just below the “Reservations” row.

ZOOM MEETING INVITATION.

We hope that you can join us!

Twelve boats enjoyed the hospitality of Port Sidney Marina with the first boats arriving Wednesday, June 29^th.  More boats arrived Thursday followed by the final boat on Friday.  Boats in attendance were Zephyr, Tickety-Boo, Cat’s Cradle, Mist-A-Sea, Nauti Moments, Mover, 2 Wish’n, Mari-Mac, Business, Heaven Sent, Rapture and Yemaja.  We were also joined on Thursday by members Barry and Leslie on their Ranger Tug (their MacGregor was at home in California).

Peter and Lydia made sure that the weather held out until Sunday morning when the skies opened and made a wet day for those who headed out for home.  Several boats decided to hang around for another day before heading home or onward in the Gulf Islands.

Friday started out with a walk along the waterfront, followed by the Canada Day parade through downtown Sidney.  The afternoon was free time with a meet and greet in the tent (appies and drinks) at 5pm.  The Town of Sidney always puts on a great fireworks display which can be viewed from the tent area.

Saturday we met in the morning for coffee and decided that the event for the day would be a trip to Sidney Spit for a walk on the island.  Four boats headed out around noon and were back in time for happy hour.  Dinner was a pot luck in the tent followed by friendship and even some dancing (for those that stuck around long enough).

Many thanks to Peter and Lydia for organizing the weekend on their “home turf”.  Also, thanks to Wayne and his staff at Port Sidney Marina who went out of their way to make sure we were accommodated with anything we needed.  If you haven’t visited Port Sidney be sure to put it on your cruising itinerary.

Next Events:

Past Commodore’s Cruise (Thetis Island) Zoom Planning Meeting

Thursday, July 14^th (1900 PDT)

Zoom Invitation to be sent out closer to the date

——————————————-

Past Commodore’s Cruise to Thetis Island

Telegraph Harbour Marina

Saturday, July 30 – Monday, August 1^st

See you there!

12 Boats and 4 crews without boats attended the MacRendezvous at the Union Steamship Marina on Bowen Island June 3-5. Saynomore, Zephyr, Cassiopeia, Windchime, Mover, Tickety Boo, Nauti Nuff Time, Heaven Sent, DeeSeas, Gemini, 2Wish’N and Blackjack arrived with their boats and the Crews of Summerzcool, Rapture, Aurora and Impulse made the trip by ferry.

The rain cleared and everyone enjoyed the Wine and Cheese on the dock. Thanks to Saynomore for doing the shopping at the last minute. Mover did the shopping for Saturday’s Pancake Breakfast and with many members helping to set up, cook and clean up it was a great success.

The workshop “Seven things Not To Do with Your MacGregor” hosted by Todd of Blue Water Yachts offered many ideas for the members to consider. There was a flurry of activity following the presentation as members inspected their steering and rudders. Thanks Todd for another great information session.

The Appies and beverages on the dock at 1500 allowed members to compare all the great ideas others have tried on their boats. The rains came again and everyone headed off to the Park Shelter for the Potluck. Lots of great food enjoyed under a dry roof. Members retired to their boats for evening conversations in their enclosures.

Sunday morning saw the Burrard inlet flotilla depart to catch slack at 1^st and 2^nd Narrows. The Sunset Marina flotilla departed soon after. Three boats crossing or heading down the strait decided to avoid the nasty weather and stay another night at the marina. To catch the better winds and ebb currents on Monday.