[Nick Heath]

Here’s what the RCC supervisor says:

Hello,

I’m not sure why *16 did not work for you, it should have. I will forward
this along to our technicians, and in the future if you have difficulty
with *16, you can always call us direct at 250-363-6611. Thank you
for the information.

Regards,
Victoria MCTS

[Kevin Amos]

It is important for subscribers to determine if their cellular carrier offers this feature to its customers,” stated the Canadian Coast Guard on the website.

The *16 service is free to the cellphone subscribers and no air-time or long distance are charged. The use of the service is “normally” restricted to obtaining assistance or relaying information relating to distress and urgency situations.

https://www.intelligencer.ca/2013/07/29/when-in-marine-distress-dial-16

[Nick Heath]

Thks Kevin. Are you suggesting this service is not available locally? If so, why would CCG ask me to use it? Anyway, I’m asking RCC for their comments and will share those, assuming they respond.

[Kevin Amos]

From the website

∗16 on a cellphone (where available)

https://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/contact/mcts-contact-stcm-eng.html

[Nick Heath]

During a recent paddle near Parksville, I was speaking with a Coast Guard operator on Ch 16 using my handheld VHF radio. The operator said I was difficult to hear/understand and would I please call back on my mobile phone at *16.  After I dug out my phone and turned it on,  *16 would not work. Instead my phone provider’s (Shaw) robot, suggested I call 611 for assistance.  This was fruitless.

However I recalled that I had stored Rescue Coordination Centre phone numbers in my phone, so I used one of these numbers and got an immediate, helpful response.

So I learned:

1) that it is good to store those  numbers (and they have long been on each of my float plans)

2) *16 might be unreliable (but RCC expressed some surprise at this)

3) keep the cell phone close at hand in a waterproof case

The numbers are:

1 800 567 5111

1 250 363 2333

I guess another point is to routinely check my VHF radio, to see that it is working correctly, but I believe it was performing normally.

Has anyone else experienced difficulty with *16 calls?

 

[Nick Heath]

SKABC carries Commercial General Liability insurance to a max of $5M.  This is often needed to rent facilities such as picnic shelters, public pools etc. We  advise our insurers of most planned events and some events like the recent Big Brothers/Big Sisters paddle could not be covered by our policy, but separate insurance was bought for it.

Depending on how the risk is perceived by our insurers, (which might in turn depend on life-guarding arrangements etc) it might be feasible to make frequent use of a community pool for our practice sessions.  It is definitely worth looking into.

[LeRoy Russ]

Kayak in excellent condtion

Technical sheet available.

[Kevin Amos]

As we are still in need of 15 kayakers. With or without boats (kayaks). We are planning on renting kayaks 10-15 kayaks for the event. As the start is 500m from Jericho Kayaks at Jericho Sailing Center.

Here is our promotion video. Can you please post, on your forum. We hope it will inspire more people to come out! https://youtu.be/tqjsqMfSn-I

 

Jessi Harewicz
Safety Coordinator
Vancouver Open Water Swim Association
778 – 926- 6640

[Former Member]

I understand you’re already being helped Theresa, but I wanted to share this with you anyway. Depending on which community you’re dealing with, most municipalities in BC are members of the Municipal Insurance Association of BC. This association offers a program to its members, to help the users of their facilities obtain insurance. This is a link to the site. So for most facilities I might want to rent in my own community, I can get an immediate quote that meets the coverage requirements of my municipality. I hope this may be of some help to you or SKABC. https://miabc.eventpolicy.ca/

[Kallie Cunningham]

Theresa, I will follow up with you about our insurance directly.

Kallie

[Theresa Davies]

My local community centre pool will allow kayak rescue practice if I can produce Commercial General Liability Insurance – anyone know anything about this? Does the club have such a thing? Would be nice to take time to practice in the pool before heading to the ocean/lake, especially for beginners. Any ideas, thoughts?

[Jayne Hardy]

Anybody interested in going for a paddle before the BBQ on Monday?  If you are call or email me. 604 521 0301 or jh99155@gmail.com.

[Kallie Cunningham]

A quit announcement to say 2 spots have been added to this Sunday’s rescue and rolling practice session.

2 new days (July 23 and August 27) have been confirmed and registration will open soon.

[Heather Kirk]

I know you already know this but this s my official notice that I would like to join in on this.

[Maureen Benzon]

Hi Quirine,

I am alternating morning and evening. I take off every second Wednesday to paddle in the morning, and then paddle evenings on alternate weeks. It’s a 2 hour paddle, so on the water at 6.00 and off at 8.00. Then of course there is still the boats to load, so it is a late evening.

Let’s figure out some other time to paddle together.

It was beautiful out last night, and last Wednesday morning was unbelievably peaceful for Indian Arm

[Author]

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