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CSBC Newsletter - February 2018
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Happy New Year everyone! Let's all hope that 2018 offers a safe and enjoyable boating season for everyone and that all of the efforts of the CSBC members and Directors help to make that happen.
Speaking of Directors we had a very productive few days of Directors' meetings during the Toronto International Boat Show. On day one we approved our 2018 Action Plans and budget and reviewed a very active calendar of events.
On day two we spent most of the day discussing the future of the annual CASBAs. We decided to carry on with the current format for January 2019, after which we will conduct a complete review, including the financials, to see if we should be making changes. One of the major things that make the event a success is the number of quality nominations that we receive for the various categories. Every year we beat the bushes for those nominations and every year we are still trying to get those nominations, even after the due date.
My request to all of you is to start thinking now and throughout the boating season about submitting a nomination. When one comes to mind don't wait. Just go to our web site, download the nomination form, fill it out and send it in. Completing that when a thought comes to mind should result in a range of nominations and will help make the work of Brenda Reeve, as CASBAs Chairperson, and her committee much easier.
The rest of day two was spent discussing succession planning for all of our Directors. Over the next few years many of our current Directors will be stepping down and we will begin to see those changes at our AGM in May. As many of you know the work of the CSBC is carried out for the most part by our Directors, who all carry a very active volunteer workload. Time is marching on and at our Annual Meetings in 2018, 2019 and 2020 we will need to see more new members stepping up to become committee members, committee chairs and Directors, so that we can continue our successful efforts to promote boating safety across Canada.
My ask to all of you is to consider an active role in the CSBC and to let Jean Murray, Past Chair and Chair of Nominations ( [email protected]), or any one of our Directors, know of your interest or the possible interest of another person that you work with.
Thanks, Happy and Safe Boating,
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 Canadian Safe Boating Awards 2017 (CASBAs)
O
n January 14, the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) gathered a large group of Canadian boating safety advocates for the annual Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBA) gala. They came to celebrate the efforts of individuals, companies and organizations who have distinguished themselves in the areas of boating safety and environmental stewardship during 2017. The recipients were selected from a host of nominations received from the public at large from across Canada and the CSBC was honoured to have the entire group of award winners attend.
This was the 20th year of the CASBA's and 10 awards were presented for a wide variety of achievements.
- Stearns - Rescue of the Year
In recognition of the decisive actions of the Spirit of Vancouver Island to deploy a skilled rescue crew, ultimately saving six lives.
- Top Volunteer Dedicated to Boating Safety
In recognition of her commitment and dedication to advancing boating education throughout Canada.
- Marine Professional of the Year
Arlene Christiansen & Alan Connelly
Their efforts ensure the Bronte Outer Harbour Marina experience is one of a safe, respectful and sustainable boating lifestyle.
- Visible PFD Wear in Advertising
In recognition of his advocacy for PFD wear and commitment to feature them in all his endeavours.
- Best Boating Safety Initiative
ICOM Canada & Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons
For promoting boating safety through the creation of the VHF DSC Simulator in support of training across Canada.
- Best Media Contribution to Boating Safety
In recognition of his focused efforts and success in promoting boating safety practices.
For providing a lifeline to boaters through the development and creation of the Night Saver Rope.
For his unwavering commitment to delivering relevant and respectful boating safety education in the Canada's north.
Carl Wolfe
For his tireless efforts instilling a boating safety culture in remote northern communities.
- Lifetime Achievement Award
For her dedication to improving boating safety through 30 years of service as the Ontario Provincial Police Marine Coordinator and Marine Spokesperson.
With thanks to all of our sponsors, who make the CASBAs possible, and to Andy Adams for the photographs.
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Support CSBC at LCBO Stores April 29 - May 26!
The LCBO has invited the CSBC to participate in its provincial donation box program throughout Ontario between April 29 and May 26, 2018. All donations collected across Ontario during this period will be sent to the CSBC to support the important work we do in promoting boating safety. This is a tremendous vote of confidence in the CSBC, a great revenue opportunity, and an opportunity as well to spread the word about safe boating and the CSBC's valuable contribution.
We need your help! Could you spread the word about this to family, friends and colleagues, and encourage them to visit an LCBO store and donate during this time? Together, we can really make a difference!
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CSBC at Work: Operation Life Preserver
Operation Life Preserver (OLP) is a three year program to improve boating safety in Northern Canada. It includes:
- an educational program for youth and residents (covering lifejackets, cold water, reboarding and the need for a trip plan)
- a lifejacket ownership/swap program
- addressing the issue of lifejacket availability in the North, in partnership with lifejacket manufacturers
- a cold water instructor program for Canadian Rangers
- Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Program research.
The project is supported by funding of $ 847,627 from the Transport Canada Boating Safety Contribution Program, and extensive partnerships.
During the past few months activities have been heating up in preparation for the upcoming season to expand OLP (Operation Life Preserver) in Canada's north. The CSBC presented at an annual conference with the leadership of all Canadian Ranger patrol groups across Canada. At that conference, OLP activities were more fully outlined to the entire group and the work that has been accomplished in Ontario was reviewed. Work is now commencing with the 2nd Ranger Patrol Group who are responsible for Ranger activities in northern Quebec for outreach to take place during the summer of 2018.
In addition to the Rangers, presentations were also made to the school administrators and principals in all 14 communities in Nunavik to engage them in OLP for the spring of 2018. Concurrent with the roll-out of the program in Quebec, initial visits and planning will commence in Canada's territories in preparation to take Operation Life Preserver there in 2019.
The Pleasure Craft Operator Card program in the north is now being discussed with Ontario Rangers to help identify better ways to teach it. Although for many areas in the north, proof of competence is not required for activities related
to daily living or subsistence boating activities
like fishing and hunting, the initial feedback from Ontario Rangers is support for the program.
Summer of 2018 will also see the launch of a new educational program in the north, a Lifejacket/Reboarding Clinic. Community members will be invited to attend an interactive presentation where they will become better acquainted with the importance and care of lifejackets and learn how to make a simple reboarding device that will be an effective lifesaving tool for their boats.
2018 is shaping up to be a good year for the CSBC outreach in Canada's north and it is felt by CSBC Executive and Directors that this is the start of ongoing and very important work for the council.
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Time to Renew Your CSBC Membership
As a CSBC member, you are connected with the boating safety community across Canada; know you are saving lives by supporting the CSBC's boating safety promotion activities; and, because the CSBC is a registered charity, you can get a tax receipt for your donation. And let's not forget that
Stearns/Coleman Canada will offer to 2018 CSBC members a 30% DISCOUNT on all online purchases through any Coleman Canada website. This discount applies to the full line of Coleman Canada products - including Stearns PFDs, tents, sleeping bags, coolers and all sorts of outdoor camping gear, and Sevylor inflatables.
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Save the Date: CSBC Symposium Victoria
With the highly successful 2017 CSBC symposium in Quebec City just behind us, it is already time to start planning for the next Symposium which will be held all the way on the other side of the country in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. The dates are October 4 - 6 and the host hotel is right on the waterfront ... the magnificent Inn at Laurel Point. This is an incredibly in-demand hotel in Victoria and the rooms held in the CSBC block @ $ 169.00 per night might not last long. So make plans to attend now and book your stay early. And while you are there, take advantage of your time on the island and stick around a bit and enjoy the splendour that is Vancouver Island.
Participant testimonials demonstrate that CSBC Symposiums consistently hit the high water mark:
- "Excellent opportunity to gather new knowledge to share with others"
- "Open forum sessions allow for everyone's input from all facets of safety"
- "Fantastic networking opportunities with people from across Canada and overseas"
Join us in Victoria this year for a great learning experience that will include:
- Professional development and learning for boating safety enthusiasts
- International connections that share their successful programs
- Connecting with boating safety organizations to exchange information and resources
- Excellent networking opportunities.
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National Safe Boating Council Appoints New Executive Director
The U.S. National Safe Boating Council has named Peg Phillips as their new Executive Director. She is a seasoned management professional with a proven track record in both non-profit and corporate settings. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University. For the last eight years, Peg served as vice president of the College of Life Foundation, which offers historical kayaking and hiking adventures for the whole family. An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, fishing and boating. The CSBC and the NSBC work closely together, and we look forward to working with Peg.
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In Brief
Check out the New Zealand Search and Rescue Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020 at www.nzsar.govt.nz. One of the most impressive parts of the plan is the schematic of the New Zealand SAR Sector, showing the multiplicity of organizations involved in providing seamless SAR services. Coordination and leadership of these many partners is done by the NZSAR Secretariat, an organization initially modelled on Canada's National SAR Secretariat, but now developed much more extensively.
The Transportation Safety Board has issued the report of its investigation into the capsizing of a small fishing vessel, the Pop's Pride, off Cape Spear, Newfoundland on September 6, 2016. The bodies of two crew members were recovered, with the other two missing, presumed drowned. The TSB concluded that improvements were needed in federal and provincial regulations regarding the use of emergency beacons, immersion suits, and vessel stability and fisheries management measures.
In early January, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was fined for not wearing his lifejacket while boating in Sydney Harbour. Lifejacket wear is mandatory in New South Wales. For more information, click here.
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