Bridge between North and South Pender Island

Power Boating 101

This is the Pender Canal which separates North Pender Island from South Pender Island. It’s a very narrow channel and when we were approaching Kent used the VHF radio to call “Securite, securite, securite. All stations, this is the Jervis Mist approaching the Pender Canal northbound. Any southbound traffic please advise. The Jervis Mist. Over”.

No one acknowledged so we proceeded toward the very narrow channel. Another boat was just about to pass under the bridge and Kent stopped the boat, moved over in the channel and let the other boat navigate through. The other Captain waved his thanks. Where was his radio? Why didn’t he acknowledge Kent’s radio message? DUH! He and his crew were all on the bridge of the boat. Perhaps they didn’t have a radio on the bridge or they just were not listening…

The Power Squadron Basic Boating Courses started last week throughout the country!