The first meeting of the Vancouver Fleet of 2020 was held at 1900h on Tuesday, September 24 in the Caberfeigh room at the Scottish Cultural Centre.
Seventeen boats were registered and there were approximately thirty people in attendance. These included doers temporarily back from offshore, Gary Peacock of Sea Rover II and Rob Murray of Avant.
Fleet representative Cameron McLean opened the meeting. After welcoming the Fleet and facilitating mutual introductions there was a special presentation. In recognition of his many years providing coffee and refreshments to the meetings John Neilson was granted an honorary life-time membership in the Vancouver Fleet.
John Neilson receiving his honorary life-time Fleet membership from Cam McLean.
Cameron described the Fleet committees explaining how these committees are the core of the Fleet. Volunteers for the Fleet committees’ positions determine the programs and functions for the year.
Cameron had a number of recommendations for things to do well ahead of time in preparation for cruising offshore:
- Get local sailing experience – sail around Vancouver Island, participate in the Vancouver Island Cruising Experience (VICE), among other opportunities
- Learn Spanish
- Install a SSB radio
- Register your boat if you have not done that already
- Visit a travel clinic to learn about the vaccinations you will need for the different destinations
The presenters for the evening were crews of two boats: Alice Kloosterboer and Greg Harms of Anduril and Gord and Mags Wellwood of Kanilela. They gave us a photo presentation from their voyages and then formed a panel discussing the preparation of two very different boats for their voyages.
Don’t miss the next Fleet meeting, scheduled for October 29.