Some advice for boaters, specifically in the Campbell River area. Note that any advice is general, and may not be applicable in your situation. Also, consult the latest regulations for any updates.

Articles and forms are in PDF format. Depending on your browser options, they may be displayed in your PDF viewer window, or simply downloaded into your Downloads folder.

Swinging the Compass

Your compass may not get used much in the GPS world, but it is an essential backup in poor visibility. If you are not aware of compass errors, it could lead you onto the rocks.

• Part 1 - Overview and quick method for swinging the compass

• Part 2 - Introducing the Pelorus, using shore marks to swing the compass

• Part 3 - Using the Sun to swing the compass (It's not as hard as it sounds)

Black Water (Sewage)

• Article for Ripples

Distance at Sea

• Article for Ripples

Ship Watching

• Article for Ripples

When should you call Coast Guard for help?

• Article for Ripples

Marine Distress Flares

• Some information and links to demonstrations.

Automatic Identification System

• AIS article for Ripples

• Go to Links page for a link to real time AIS display on your browser.

Why doesn't Red Right Returning work for Discovery Passage?

• Red Right Returning article for Ripples

Digital Charts and Chart Plotting

• OpenCPN, open source chart plotting software. (link to external site)

• OpenCPN's Instructions for installing OpenCPN. (link to external site)

• If you are taking the Boating course, we will provide the password to open an electronic copy of the CPS practice chart. The zipped file is 2.5megs, and will download immediately, without further confirmation. Immediately download zip file. Check your download folder after clicking the link. Instructions for installing the practice chart are included in the .zip file.
  

  If you wish to compare raster and vector charts. Canadian Hydrographic Services offers two more free electronic charts of another made up area. The link is http://www.charts.gc.ca/charts-cartes/instruction-formation-eng.html.

  The US has decided to offer all their digital charts for free, as a safety service. You can also download them from here https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/find-charts.html.

  (If you think that Canadians should also be able to get free copies of already produced charts, to enhance marine safety, you might want to let your MP know.)

Sail Plans

• Sail plan article for Ripples

• Sail plan form

Saving Money when boating

• Saving money article for Ripples

• Pleasure versus Non-Pleasure

Charts and Publications

• Introduction to Charts (basics of correcting) article for Ripples

• Charts and Notices to Mariners article for Ripples

• Annual Notices to Mariners and other Publications article for Ripples

• Go to our links page to view/download the Notices to Shipping and Notices to Mariners

Cold Water Shock

• Cold water shock article for Ripples

• Cold Water Boot Camp Canadian experiences

Sharing the channels

• Suggestions for sharing busy channels such as Discovery Passage

Collision Regulations

• Collision Regulations - a basic introduction

• Go to our links page to view/download the complete Collision Regulations

Tidal Currents

• Tidal Currents article for the Ripples

• Youtube Video on how tides work (using a biscuit, a pickled onion and an orange)

• Go to our links page to view tide and current calculation

• How strong do the currents get around Campbell River? (a slide from our course)

• Oceanography of the British Columbia Coast by Richard E. Thompson - an excellent book that covers geography of the coast, tides, waves, currents and much more. Now available as a PDF download on our links page.

• As mentioned in the article, wind driven waves interacting with current can have a major effect on sea conditions. A great, free, introduction to weather, the National Marine Weather Guide, is available as a PDF on our links page. The companion book, British Columbia Regional Guide (also available as a PDF on our links page) looks at individual areas, such as Desolation Sound, explaining how local geography comes into play.