Court Harkness: Get to know the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron

Court Harkness will introduce courses in boating from the basics required by law to what you would want to know to do blue water sailing! The Canadian Power Squadron was organized in the spring of 1938 in a rather quiet, unobtrusive way, without a name, funds, or yet members. Later, along with other boaters, they formed the first Squadron in Canada, known as Windsor Power Squadron. Our charter was granted by the Federal Government on October 27, 1947. As of October 17, 2014, Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons became one corporative entity registered with the Canadian Government as a Charitable Organization. CPS-ECP is now recognized as the foremost educational boating authority in Canada. Many local law enforcement agencies and municipal authorities consult CPS-ECP on matters of training and navigational hazards. Training has been given by our members across Canada to such organizations as the Boy Scouts, Sea Cadets, and law enforcement agencies, to name but a few. Whenever requested, our members are available to teach, lecture, or advise on boating safety. Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons offers a series of courses in boating knowledge that build from the basic courses required by law to what you'd want to know to cross the ocean. Our boating courses are available online or in-person. CPS-ECP also offers Recreation Vessel Courtesy Check (RVCC). We will check your boat, for free, to see if you have all the required safety equipment in good working order. This presentation is part of the NSC Winter Speaker's program, which promotes ongoing learning about all things nautical, as well as cruising and competitive sailing. About Court Harkness Court's boating background is mainly sailing although he did own a powerboat for 8 years. He sailed on tall ships as a teenager while racing sailboats as well. He became a sailmaker in the early seventies and worked in Kingston Marblehead (Boston) and New Zealand. He also did some ocean racing in Florida (S.O.R.C.) and in New Zealand. Presently he is part of the Education Department for CPS-ECP and the Course Chair for the Weather course (which means he was in charge of developing the course!) He has been a squadron commander for CPS-ECP in both Ottawa and Kingston as well as the District Commander for the Ottawa, Kingston and Brockville area.