The CSBC is looking to fill two volunteer positions, starting immediately: CSBC Newsletter Editor and Chair of CSBC Communications Committee. 

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All of us at the CSBC were saddened to hear of the untimely death of Retired Staff Sergeant Jack Kruger on June 19. Jack had a long and varied career with the RCMP. After his 'retirement', he became the SAR Coordinator and Training Officer for G Division, and was a volunteeer for the Canadian Coast Auxiliary at the national and regional levels. Jack's leadership mad a tremendous difference to boating safey and search and rescue in the North, and we will all miss him. Our sincere condolences to Jack's family.

Our condolences to Guy's family. The Canadian boating safety community has lost a strong advocate, and a friend.

The Canadian Safe Boating Council is offering funding to Canadian not-for-profit agencies, organizations, and other groups to help promote boating safety in their communities. It is expected that the funding will assist in the development of both new, innovative concepts promoting recreational boating safety as well as funding endeavours that have proven successful in the past. In total there is 

$40,000 available with up to $2,500 in financial support for each proposed project. Check out csbc.ca for more information. 

Boat Notes is a handy information brochure which will keep critical boating safety information top of mind with Canadian boaters. It includes information on Required Safety Equipment, Rules of the Road, Buoyage System and much more.  Boat Notes are available in English and French to boating safety stakeholders at no charge.  More details are available at csbc.ca.

The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) invites boating safety enthusiasts from all over the world to participate in the 2014 CSBC Symposium in Ottawa, ON. With the theme of 'Exploring New Horizons', the Symposium will take place from Sunday, September 21 to Tuesday, September 23 at the elegant Lord Elgin Hotel. Delegates include government policy makers, not-for-profit organizations, marine law enforcement, first responders, boating safety instructors and course providers, marina operators, volunteers, marine manufacturers and more.

Highlights of this year's Symposium build on the theme of 'Exploring New Horizons', and include:

• Special feature presentation: be the first to hear the results of the latest Canadian boating safety research!
• Learning about Behavioral Change and Influencing People`s Actions
• Boating Safety in Northern Canada
• New paddle sport programs: PaddleSmart
• Renegades Bass Professional Tournament Association  
• Canada/U.S. Lifejacket Harmonization: how will this affect you?

This year there were 5 major launches of Safe Boating Awareness Week across Canada; Toronto, Halifax, Quebec City, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Each was a resounding success drawing out plenty of media to gather and share the safe boating messages with their audiences.

What made it work so well were the CSBC partners that helped deliver on each of the 5 Key boating safety messages with creative and interactive activities.   Although the partners and lead messages differed slightly in each location, each of the key messages were covered in some way.

The Minister of Transport, Lisa Raitt, addressed the Plenary session on Tuesday, the first time a Minister has attended in years.  Her speech focused on commercial shipping but CSBC Chair Jean Murray raised the issue of small vessels and recreational boating during the question period.  The Minister expressed interest in North American Safe Boating Awareness Week.  A great contact made for the small boat community.

As well, Laureen Kinney has been appointed as ADM Safety and Security at Transport and Sylvain Lachance is acting as the Director General, Marine Safety and Security.  Sylvain is the proud new owner of a slightly used sailboat berthed at Kingston!!

This meeting was co-chaired by Jean Murray and Sylvain Lachance.  Members represent all areas and organizations in Canada.  Sylvain noted that user fees were coming and would be used solely to fund the operations of the OBS.  As well TC is going to make electronic vessel licensing available to anyone beginning in April 2015.  He also expressed pleasure that the safe boating message was being heard as evidenced by the continuing demand for the PCOC.

Larry Spears provided a review of the Lifejacket work for those not present at the previous session.