Every September, BCA [1] members across Vancouver Island, Calgary, and the Lower Mainland come together to form their respective Chapter Fleets [2]—communities of sailors preparing to head offshore in the coming year or soon thereafter, sail around Vancouver Island or head up the coast, exploring and venturing into new territories.
Fleets meet monthly (sometimes more often), with each Chapter setting its own program based on members’ needs and interests.
Learning and Preparation
A key objective of the Fleets is to help members build the knowledge and skills needed for safe, confident, and comfortable cruising. Working closely with their Education Watch, Fleets offer a wide range of sessions each year. Past topics have included:
- Presentations and panel discussions with recently returned cruisers
- Storm tactics and safety at sea
- Sail selection and repair
- Ham and SSB installation and use
- Medical issues offshore
- Psychology of cruising
- Rigging maintenance and repair
- Mast climbing and safety
- Communications while on passage: email and weather
Equipment and Resources
The Fleets also help members stay up to date with useful gear and innovations. For example, the Vancouver Fleet committee connects with suppliers to share equipment information—often with special discounts available for Fleet participants.
Community and Connection
Perhaps most importantly, the Fleets are all about building lasting friendships. Members often reconnect in distant anchorages, lending a hand in times of need and sharing the adventure of offshore cruising together. To foster these bonds, each Fleet group also hosts social gatherings throughout the year, with no agenda other than getting to know one another better.
How to Join
Joining is simple—sign up on the BCA website [3] or just come to a Fleet meeting! Captains, first mates, and crew are all welcome. There is a $50.00 fee, which covers the whole crew. For information on Fleet meeting dates, contact the respective Fleet Coordinator:
- Vancouver Fleet: Marilyn Sanford [4].
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Vancouver Island Fleet: Campbell Good [5].
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Calgary Fleet: Fleet Coordinator [6].
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 Fleets of BCA and sharing the journey ahead!