On Sunday Juy 22nd members of the Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association and the Coast Emergency Communications Association combined to provide race and emergency communication for the annual bath tub race. The race course covers 36 miles, had over 30 entrants and lasted just over one hour. Weather conditions went from sunny and mild to windy with rain and a thunderstorm.
Amateurs were posted at the start and finish lines as well as various locations along the course. In addition amateurs manned a second net control station on Gabriola Island. This second net control station allowed radio coverage of the complete course. Information as to tub location and status, escort vessel location and general course conditions was provided. In addition frequencies remained available for emergency traffic.
Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association also hosted a special event station VE7TUB.
Photo’s of the event:
The flagship of the bath tub fleet. Reportedly the worlds largest bath tub !
Two of the competitors as they head into the first check point
Entrance Island light station. One of the check points where an amateur station was set up. Members were flown by chopper out to the station.
A check point on Gabriola Island handled VHF Marine, vhf and uhf traffic in addition to spotting duties.
Special Event station VE7TUB has been active for many years on bath tub weekend.
A busy weekend for amateurs, but well worth all the effort put forth.