Jericho Sailing Centre AssociationJanuary 31, 2013
                
in the wind
Ahoy Vancouver Ocean Lovers: 
   
Here is what's "in the wind", coming events and items of interest at the Jericho Sailing Centre, Vancouver' Ocean Access Community Centre, for January 31, 2013 and beyond:
 
In This Issue
MAYDAY Kitsilano!
Premier @ Jericho
2013 JSCA Fees
Cold Water Survival
Join our Mailing List!

2013 Vancouver Boat Show  Feb 7-11

JSCA Member Volunteers Wanted      

The 2013 Vancouver Boat Show incorporates the first ever BC Family Holiday

 

with brand new dates and extended hours. Shifting from the traditional Wednesday through Sunday Boat Show pattern to Thursday through Monday, and extending show hours on Saturday and Sunday means visitors of all ages have more opportunities than ever to explore hundreds of boats, boating accessories, products and services from top boating exhibitors. For more information, paddle over to: http://www.vancouverboatshow.ca/  

 

  

Jericho Sailing Centre Booth - Crew Call   

  

We still have several openings for JSCA members to help crew the Jericho Sailing Centre Association's display booth at the Vancouver International Boat Show February 7-11 in BC Place Stadium. Members who volunteer for a two hour "watch" will gain free admission to the show and the admiration of thousands of show going seafarers from all over. A great place to meet people and shoot the breeze about the Jericho Sailing Centre and all of the low cost ocean access opportunities we provide. The following berths are available; please email us if you'd like to sign on:

  

Thursday, February 7:  

1100-1300H(2 spots); 1700-1900H; 1900-2100H.

  

Friday, February 8:      

1100-1300H; 1300-1500H; 1700-1900H; 1900-2100H.

  

Saturday, February 9: 

1000-1200H(2 spots); 1200-1400H(2); 1400-1600H; 1600-1800H(2); 1800-2100H(2).

  

Sunday, February 10:

1000-1200H; 1200-1400H; 1400-1600H; 1600-1900H.

  

Monday, February 11:

1000-1200H(2); 1400-1700H.

 

Jericho booth crew must enter BC Place Stadium through the Exhibitors Entrance on the east side to get their pass (picture ID required) on their scheduled day. It is suggested that crew members take public transit to the show as parking costs an arm and a leg and JSCA does not cover any expenses.

 
Kitsilano Coast Guard Station Update - January 19 Rally @ Jericho Report
Close to 150 people sardined themselves into the English Bay Room of the Jericho Sailing Centre to express their grave concerns with the Conservative government's planned closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station this spring.

Despite dire warnings from other members of Vancouver's Marine Safety Network, including the Vancouver Marine Police & Fire Departments, that the closure of the station will result in loss of lives, Stephen Harper's, government said "Damn the Torpedoes, full speed ahead" on January 9 when they announced that the student staffed summer inflatable station will be located on Deadman Island. This despite the Coast Guard's own data which clearly shows the majority of "life at risk" rescues by Kitsilano occur outside of the summer station season.

A packed room of concerned citizens listened to speakers which included former Kitsilano Station Commander Fred Moxey, NDP Leader Adrian Dix, BC Conservative Leader John Cummings; Federal NDP Fisheries & Oceans Critic Fin Donnelly, Liberal MP Hedy Fry, Vancouver City Councilor Kerry Jang and others. Line of the day was delivered by Liberal MLA Dr. Moira Stillwell who looked at her fellow elected officials and said "It's fun for once to be violently on the same side of an issue." Premier Christy Clark was unable to attend the rally but posted a YouTube address the day before and visited the Jericho Sailing Centre the following Monday (see next story). The only political party not in attendance were the local federal Conservatives who were all invited and conspicuous in their absence - it is clear they have abandoned ship on the people they represent.

What Can You Do To Help Save

Kitsilano Coast Guard Station? 

  

Write to BC Conservative MP's to tell them you object to the closing of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station. Here are some of the reasons you might consider including in your email:

 

  • The closure will endanger the lives of mariners.
  • There was NO "careful consideration" of the risk to mariners. 
  • There was no SAR Needs Analysis or Risk Assessment Analysis done.
  • There was no consultation with any of the other members of Vancouver Marine Safety Network prior to the decision.
  • "Extensive Analysis" shared with "Rescue Partners" in July only included the past 2 years of SAR data which clearly show 66% of serious rescues were done outside of the proposed IRB season.  City of Vancouver Report
  • "Rescue Partners": Marine police & fire; volunteer rescue organizations; BC Ambulance Service; BC Coroners Service; local civic governments and the Province of BC have all gone on record opposing the closure because it will endanger the lives of mariners. 
  • The most qualified SAR experts within the Coast Guard, the Maritime Coordinators of the Victoria Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, were not consulted, and their subsequent written report to management strongly objecting to the closure was carelessly ignored.
  • Sea Island hovercraft do not have "all weather" capabilities and may not be able to reach Vancouver when needed most.
  • Conservative MP's are misinformed as they keep referring, in error, to long established, pre-existing Vancouver Marine Safety Network resources as if they are additional resources to justify this ill advised decision.

Here are the email addresses of local Conservative MPs:

 

'randy@randykamp.com';

'james.moore.c1a@parl.gc.ca';

 'Kerry-Lynne.Findlay@parl.gc.ca';

 'Wai.Young@parl.gc.ca';

 'alice.wong@parl.gc.ca';

 'james.lunney@parl.gc.ca';

 'andrew.saxton@parl.gc.ca';

 'mark.strahl@parl.gc.ca';

 'mark.warawa@parl.gc.ca';

 'john.weston@parl.gc.ca';

 'ed.fast@parl.gc.ca';

 'grewan1@parl.gc.ca';

 'russ.hiebert@parl.gc.ca'

  
Premier Clark Visits Jericho; Supports Jericho Rescue with $100,000 Grant
Flashing their $100K smiles are L-R JSCA Treasurer Chad Larson; Fundraising Chair Jeri Griffiths; Vice-president Tony Martin; Mike Cotter, GM; Past Safety Chair Mark Daigle; Premier Clark; Safety Chair Kyle Kotowick; President Chris Stairs; Asst. GM Andrei Bredin; Jericho Rescue Team member Ashley Ford.
British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, MLA Vancouver-Point Grey, visited the Jericho Sailing Centre on January 21 to hear the JSCA's perspective on the proposed closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station and to personally deliver a Community Gaming Grant cheque for $100,000 to be used for the replacement of our 2 Jericho Rescue boats.

In her letter to the JSCA Premier Clark stated:
"Jericho Rescue has been providing an invaluable service to not only the constituents of Vancouver-Point Grey, but to all those who enjoy our shores. Whether it is through the marine safety seminars, marine recreational event safety support or rescuing people in distress, Jericho Rescue has been ensuring those who choose to enjoy ocean based activities can do so safely.

It is important to emphasize that these funds are not to expand your services as a result of the planned closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station. I realize that the level of service that will be lost cannot be replaced by organizations like Jericho Rescue. Your government will continue to pressure the federal government and encourage them to reverse their decision to close the base."

Delivery of the first boat to replace "Jericho Marks" is expected in June. Details for replacing "Jericho Rescue" are still in the planning stage.
JSCA 2013 Membership and Storage Fees
There is an anomaly in our annual billing for JSCA Membership and Storage fees this year due to the transition away from HST on April 1.  Our membership year covers the period from April 1 to March 31 of the following year, however, Revenue Canada requires us to charge HST if we invoice prior to April 1. For that reason, the JSCA will send out our annual invoice via mail and email on April 1 due, for this year only, by April 30. The regular late fee of $60 will apply on May 1. Anyone wishing to pay the HST can contact the office prior to April 1 for a special invoice.

In December the JSCA Board approved the following increases: Memberships 3% (rounded up to the nearest dollar; Craft Storage 4.5%; and Lockers 5%. With these increases, the JSCA still provides the best ocean recreational facilities at the lowest price in Vancouver and with the transition away from HST, members will be paying less in 2013 than they did in 2012.
Send Us Your Photos -  Pacific NW Outrigger Canoe Racing Association

  

 

 

 

Thanks to JOCC paddler extraordinaire Jan Chaverie for sending us these photos, taken by Roger Pimenta, of the 7th Annual PNWORCA event on January 26. For more photos and a complete stroke by stroke description of the event pull over to
http://www.kevintmchugh.com/2013/01/29/pnworca-winter-series-2-jericho/

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Power Outage Wednesday February 6,  0900-1700H
 BC Hydro is making electrical improvements to our area and will be interrupting power to the Jericho Sailing Centre on Wednesday, Feb. 6 0900-1700H. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Dress Appropriately for Cold Water Conditions
There are many people, particularly Stand Up Paddlers, launching from Jericho Beach these days who are new to cold water ocean recreation. Here are some things they must know about:

Appropriate Attire - Dress for Cold Water Immersion
The water temperature is well below the level where it is safe to recreate without a proper (no shorties) wetsuit or drysuit. People who get into serious trouble at this time of year have often made the mistake of dressing for the air temperature not the water temperature, which is fine until something goes wrong and they suddenly find themselves immersed in the water. 

 

Use Your Head
Significant heat loss is through your head. When you consider that hypothermia is the most significant danger experienced ocean recreationalists face and a neoprene cowling cost $15 at MEC, you don't need a calculator to do the math. A wool toque or hat will also work quite well.

 

Always Stay with Your Craft
When a sailing dinghy, windsurfer or kayak capsizes they are usually within a couple of swim strokes of their crew. Some craft, particularly SUP's and surf skis, require a safety leash (in good condition and properly attached) as they can easily get away in a capsize situation. Never leave your craft in an emergency situation as it is far easier to spot than a person in the water. 

Use the Buddy System 
Always sail, paddle, row with someone else, especially in cold water conditions. Let a reliable friend or relative know when and where you are going and when you expect to return. Diligently contact them upon your safe return. If you are launching from Jericho Beach stop in at the JSCA office to let us know when and where you are going and when you expect to return.

Be Aware of Sunset
Recently, JSCA staff have witnessed people launching within a few minutes of sunset. This is a dangerous practice. If something goes wrong for you: equipment failure; changing conditions; fatigue, etc., you are very difficult to find in the dark. Make sure your safety float plan includes plenty of time to get off of the water before sunset.
 

 http://beyondcoldwaterbootcamp.com/   
Batten Down the Hatches - Storm Season Approaching
 

 

 

Jericho Sailing Centre Etiquette 
 

Common sense and consideration of fellow members help make the Jericho Sailing Centre a true community centre with a friendly salt water community atmosphere. Here are a few etiquette reminders to keep things sailing along smoothly:

 

  • Do not leave your craft unattended on the shoreline for extended periods - share the shore.                          
  • RAMPS, and the areas adjacent to launching ramps, are for craft launch/retrieval only. Do not rig, repair or otherwise loiter in this area.
  • Do not leave or rig your craft in the rinsing areas adjacent to hosing stations. 
  • The Jericho Sailing Centre is a SMOKE FREE facility. There is No Smoking permitted in any Vancouver Park or beach area.
  • Give pathway users the right of way and bear in mind they may be distracted and not aware that you are crossing the pathway with your craft or launch rope.
  • launch dollies are for launching/retrieval only (not for storage) and must be returned to the fence immediately after use.
  • if you launch from your own dolly or trailer return it to your storage spot after launching.
  • do not use the winches unless you are familiar with their safe operation. Winch instruction is available from staff or Jericho Rescue Team members. Only members or registered guests may use winches & dollies.
  • only leashed, well behaved dogs are allowed in the compound, no dogs are allowed in the building or on the deck. Do not tie dogs to the base of stairwells or in other traffic areas. Do not leave your dog onshore while you are on the water. The City prohibits dogs on beaches. In consideration of other Jericho users please consider leaving your dog at home while visiting the Jericho Sailing Centre.
  • Please coil hoses immediately after use and conserve water.
  • Do not block aisle ways.
  • Rinse racks are for rinsing not drying.
  • Swimming is prohibited in front of the Jericho Sailing Centre.
 
SAFETY is Your Responsibility
On the ocean there are elements of risk that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Regardless of how you decide to use the ocean always show courtesy to others. Please adhere to the code listed below and share with others the responsibility for a safe ocean experience. 

 
It is every member's responsibility to know and observe the rules of the road when on or near the water. Here are some key rules which every Jericho member must know and practice.

 
1. Always wear your P.F.D. on the water.
2. Sail powered craft have the right of way over power craft, paddle and rowing powered craft.
3. All non-commercial vessels shall keep well clear of commercial vessels.
4. It is illegal and extremely dangerous to pass between a tug and it's tow.
5. A port tack sailing vessel shall keep clear of a starboard tack vessel.
6. A windward vessel shall keep clear of a leeward vessel.
7. A vessel clear astern shall keep clear of a vessel ahead.
8. Any vessel overtaking another shall keep clear.
9. A vessel tacking or gybing shall keep clear of a vessel on a tack.
10.The area south of the orange can buoys is for training or transiting only.
11.Swimming or wading on the beach in front of the Centre is prohibited and is particularly dangerous for small children.
12.It is unsafe to loiter or let children play near the bottom of launching ramps.
13. Stay well clear of the end of the Jericho Pier as fishers cast lines as far as possible
14. Be cautious of pathway traffic when launching/retrieving
15. Do not leave your craft on the shoreline for extended periods of time
Common sense goes a long way toward maintaining a safe environment. Membership in the Jericho Sailing Centre Association is contingent on members knowing and observing the Safe Ocean Sailing rules.
 
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