[Nick Heath]

Ellen’s info is perfect, and what I’m about to write will be inferior. Sorry about that.

Ship movements are monitored and controlled by Vessel Traffic Services – there are  2 main centres – Victoria and Pr Rupert, but they operate using remotely-controlled local transmitters using various frequencies, which are not so easy to determine. For the Vancouver area Ch 12, is the one to listen to, and in the Gulf Is it is Ch 11. You can listen in to help to decide when a big vessel might be coming by, but then you would need some idea of that vessel’s speed and heading,  which are not given. Also those vessels which are not required to call in (but might also be big and/or fast) will be missing entirely, so it is doubtful how valuable this would be to us kayakers.  That said, I have called VTS on a hand-held radio a couple of times, to find out in poor visibility what ship movements were known in that area and also to warn them that kayakers were about to  attempting a crossing, where there might be a possibility of collision (although wipe-out would be the more correct term, since the ship’s crew would never known that it hit us).  VTS seemed quite willing to transmit a warning about potential traffic conflicts even involving paddlers, but I would not do this routinely for fear of being considered a nuisance. It is best to not make those kind of hazardous crossings!  Still, it can be useful to know that no BC Ferry is due down a particular channel for another 2 hours or whatever, so it can help with the timing of some channel crossings.

Having access to AIS info on a mobile phone app might be more useful overall, however!

[Tracey Pham]

Additional note for people who do not own a kayak, there is rentals next to the launch point at Brechin Boat Ramp. Details here:

https://www.coastalexpression.com/rentals

[Maureen Benzon]

I love my chest of charts. I keep them loosely folded, in no particular order. I buy a chart when I kayak in a new area. It’s as good as a bookcase. Every time I go to my chest to find a chart, I page through all my used ones, and the memories of those trips come flooding back.

Buy the charts at any marine outfitter, use and enjoy them!

btw. I also travel with a GPS. It is a fun toy that can be used to check speed and position if you are not sure. Best of all you can save your track and print using the electronic chart when you get home. I use Blue Chart and love it! It is worth the investment, but they are funny about licensing, so if you upgrade your unit you have to buy the software again, and that seems very wrong, but entering waypoints is much easier on a laptop than on the device. I don’t delete waypoints so if I revisit an area, I get the memories popping up again. Welcome to the wonderful world of kayaking.

Next year be sure to sign up for the Navigation course for some real inspiration.

[Quirine Schuyff]

Last minute!
I’m heading down a bit earlier but I’m willing to wait until a bit later if I know others are coming. Reply via email or you can text at: 778 839 2468

Beginners welcome but you should be able to handle a kayak; do a wet exit

I am not a leader or guide so you are responsible for your own safety.

If you don’t wear a dry/wet suit wear synthetic layers and have a change of clothes handy in a dry bag in your cockpit. I’m not sure what I’ll wear yet….I’ll see how warm it is when I get there. Maybe wetsuit.
Have water shoes, sunglasses, hat, snack, water, sunscreen and ALL SAFETY GEAR FOR YOUR KAYAK.

[Ellen Wood]

Call in points on charts are used by large vessels travelling in shipping lanes or along Shipping routes. See Rule 10 of the Collision Regulations for the rules for shipping lanes. The Canadian Collision Regulations can be downloaded for free. The best source is the laws-justice website. As kayakers we should stay away from shipping lanes. As per Rule 10, if we are crossing them, we must do so at right angles to the shipping lane so as to get across and out as quickly as possible. As a kayaker, if I were planning to cross a shipping lane, I would first make a call to Vessel Traffic Services on the appropriate channel to determine the traffic and to let them know of my intentions so that they can warn vessels in the area.

The call-in points are used by Vessel Traffic Services (operated by the Coast Guard) to monitor the movement of ships. It is compulsory for some vessels and voluntary for others to call in at each CIP. What this means for us as kayakers is that we can, if we like, monitor the appropriate channel to determine which ships are in the area based on their calls at the various call in points.

The channel differs depending on the area you’re in. From what I’ve seen, the only channel that remains constant across all locations is channel 16. The Canadian version of the publication “Radio AIDS to Marine Navigation” will tell you which channels to use for a particular area. It is available in Marine stores or downloadable for free from the Canadian Coast Guard.

[Ellen Wood]

Another point I forgot to mention is that you should probably get yourself a copy of Chart 1, which explains all of the chart symbols. You can purchase a hard copy or it’s downloadable for free at http://www.charts.gc.ca/documents/publications/Chart-Carte-1.pdf

[Tracey Pham]

Join other SKABC members this September long weekend for a group camping trip! Make it a memorable time meeting old and new friends, sharing a meal and doing a few paddles and hikes together.

Newcastle Island Marine Park is a short paddle away from the Nanaimo Departure Bay ferry terminal, so there is option to walk on or drive your kayak and park in Nanaimo. Carpooling is encouraged.

Since this is a group event, there is a minimum number of participants required to make it happen. Please make sure you sign up by July 28th if you are interested. Check it out and sign up on the Trips page!

[Daniel Del Vecchio]

Quick question:

on maps there CIP numbers. What channel do you listen on when near them?? How many does when kayaking?

[Phil Jones]

Thanks for the resources Daniel!

[Phil Jones]

Thanks for your generous offer of some phone coaching Ellen. We may take you up on that. I think I’ll start by going and buying some chart(s?) for Indian Arm and dig into those for a bit. Then when I have my list of questions, I’ll probably reach out via e-mail. Thanks! Phil

[Phil Jones]

Thanks Yekaterina! We were thinking of starting off as you suggest, with familiar territory such as Indian Arm and maybe Pitt Lake. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Phil Jones]

Thanks Nick! I was wondering about buying and printing electronic charts, laminating them, etc. What nav application do you use on your computer?

[Peter Loppe]

Hi Marina,

I have a  paddle float, a heaving line, and a pump. I am traveling in Europe right now and won’t be back until July 23 if you can wait until the . I’ll be in touch then.

[Ellen Wood]

I’m a professional mariner – I navigate big ships for a living, but my real passion is kayaking! I’m always happy to help my fellow kayakers whenever I can because many have helped me. Several years ago, a friend and I also circumnavigated Vancouver Island using only a Chart and compass for navigation – no electronics whatsoever so I’m a big believer in the “old school” methods.

Most local marine stores carry charts as do some kayaking stores. Your best bet would be to go there and pick up a chart catalogue, which is free. The chart catalogue is basically a chart covering the area (in our case, it covers the whole west coast). You can then pick an area you where you’d like to go and it will show you the chart number(s) you will need. They’re colour coded for larger and smaller scales – one red one blue, but I can’t recall which is which. Pick the largest scale ones you can for the area – i.e. the ones that have the most detail but cover the smallest area. You especially need these ones for kayaking because the details are more important for kayakers than anyone else. Please stick with only charts from the Canadian Hydrographic Service (or foreign equivalents), where ever you decide to buy them.

Anyways, I’d be quite happy to discuss these things more if you have questions. You can contact me at ellen.w@me.com. I’m working right now – the hours are long and rest is critical. I’m home in about 10 days and can talk further then, but for now I can answer quick questions by email.

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Welcome to the club, Carlos. Please contact Chantal or George to check if your level of experience is sufficient for the course. I believe the course is full at the moment and you will need to be on the wait list.

You can rent a boat and safety gear from MEC or other rental shops but need to be able to transport it. You don’t necessarily need a rack some foam can be sufficient. You can also see if anyone else in the class is renting and try to carpool with them.

Good luck!

 

[Author]

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