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NYC Cruising
Welcome to sailing in the beautiful waters lapping our shoreline city. Nanaimo Yacht Club is within easy reach of the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast, and Desolation Sound.
Nanaimo Yacht Club Cruising
Nanaimo Yacht Club is within easy reach of the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast, and Desolation Sound. For local sailors, even the coves and small islands are a nice place to go to for the day. Snake Island, just off of Newcastle Island's eastern shore, is a great spot to set anchor and explore its beaches. The water is perfect for swimming and perhaps a bump in with the local seals that love to sunbathe close by. This being only one of the many spots to sail to provide visiting sailors with exploration only a few minutes aware from downtown Nanaimo while visiting the Yacht Club's Marina.
There's no doubt that anyone will find plenty to do within the Yacht Club's reach of the downtown area or the waters around their friendly shores.
Whisky Golf (WG)
Whiskey Golf (WG) is the name provided to the Canadian Forces maritime Experimental and Test Ranges (CFMETR) off Nanoose Bay, BC.
The Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges tests ship and aircraft systems and torpedoes launched by surface vessels, submarines, or aircraft. No explosives are used, however, a hazed exists due to the possibility of the torpedo homing on vessels and then the vessel being struck by the torpedo on its way to the surface.
Testing is usually carried out during daylight hours Monday to Saturday. During testing, area "WG" is "Active". Any vessel within the area will be required to clear or stop on demand from the "Winchelsea Island Control" or any of the range vessels or range helicopter. The positions of these coordinates are clearly marked on the diagram below.
A transit area 1,000 years north of Winchelsea Island and 1,000 years each of South Ballenas Island is recommended to enable mariners to transit safely around the active area. It also facilitates unimpeded access to marina facilities in Schooner Cove and Nanoose Bay. The active range area is clearly depicted on CHS charts 3512, 2456, and 3459 by means of pecked lines.
Additional information on active range hours or for safe transit through the area may be obtained by/from:
- Calling "WINCHELSEA CONTROL" on VHF 10 or 16
- Monitor VHF 21B or WX3
- Winchelsea Island Control at 250-468-5080 or 1-888-221-1011 (next day's activity only)
- CFMETR Range Officer at 250-468-5002 (long range planning)
