FROM THE HELM
Even though April broke a few records for rainfall, the signs of the arrival of boating season were everywhere.
The first sign was when the Provincial government attempted a (cleverly hidden in the paperwork) cash grab, declaring that boaters would have to start paying a hefty fee for anchoring in some of our coastal Marine Parks. The uproar from recreational boaters was immediate, loud and clear, and the Ministry soon backed down. It?s not a dead issue yet, folks, so watch our website for ?hot off the press? updates as I receive them.
Other signs of the season are much more positive, however. Faxes are arriving and the phone is ringing with information about the Bathtub Races, the Sidney Boat Show, the Cadillac Van Isle 360, Swiftsure. From my window overlooking the Nanaimo Harbour, I can see the floating fish camps leaving their winter berths in the Shipyard; I can hear the drum of the Dragon Boat paddlers practicing in the channel; and the first cruise ship of the season arrived and departed right on schedule.
Chartered sailboats are leaving the marina steadily now, and the hum of sanders (boater?s ?music? if there ever was any) fills the air on a Saturday morning. We?ve begun our seasonal ?dinghy picnics,? heading off in our trusty inflatable to find new coves to survey while we eat.
Yes, boaters everywhere are celebrating ? we?ve come through yet another winter full of this season?s cruising plans, and we can?t wait to get out on the water once again.
One of the most disturbing signs of the approaching boating season, however, is the presence of alcohol. Yesterday I saw a sailor with his shirt off, and thought immediately how nice it was that he found it warm enough on this April afternoon. Until I realized that he was stinking drunk ? in the middle of Departure Day, standing up on the gunnel, hanging precariously onto his mast, and brandishing the (presumably empty) bottle. Needless to say, there didn?t appear to be a life jacket anywhere in the vicinity, either.
So as I wish you all a happy and safe boating season ahead, I implore you to leave the booze behind in the ?burbs ? or at least wait until you?re securely tied up to a dock somewhere, to imbibe.