Annual Report 2009

This was a very busy year for the Ottawa chapter in many aspects; form meetings, projects, and outreach to local dive shops/dive charters/dive clubs. In addition: passing the torch from chapter chair Gordon Dewis and his executive team. Many thanks for their hard work and commitment to the chapter.

New Chapter Chair and Executive

At the January meeting, the chapter elected a new chapter chair (Luc Lafontaine) and treasurer / Secretary (Christopher Holloway). One of the first tasks performed by the newly elected executive was to transfer baking/financials, and to rebuild a new team of active members by assigning special tasks to volunteers. Christopher Holloway became our Treasurer/ Secretary/ NAS instructor, I kept my position of Buoy Director, Jérôme Devost became or Membership Coordinator & Web Master for the Ottawa web site, Frédéric Tremblay became our Project Coordinator and Trista Lauzon became our Weehawk Project Coordinator.

Meetings

The chapter held quarterly general membership meetings in January, April, August and December with good attendance between 12 and 15 at each meeting. The executive team also held several specific meeting to discuss projects, organizational direction and financials. All 2009 meetings were held at the Clocktower Brew Pub in Ottawa and we made arrangements with management to get a sponsorship based on purchases in order to build some funds for future projects.

Outreach

The executive continued to perform outreach to local dive shops/dive charters (Kanata Dive Supply, Divers Warehouse, Sharky's Scuba Supply, Wet Beavers Scuba Charters, Scuba Geek, Burton's Dive Shop and Ron's Scuba), dive forums and Facebook. The goals of our outreach was to introducing the new executives, promote SOS and to sell dive slates. As chapter chair, I was invited give a presentation the Ottawa Beaver Scuba Club and members from the chapter were able to promote SOS to the club members after the presentation. Due to lack of volunteers we were not able to attend the year Heritage Riverfest held at Pinhey's Point.

NAS Training

In May, Christopher was one of the ten members that attended the tutor training. We attempted twice to give an NAS 1 course here in Ottawa during the summer but we were unsuccessful at getting sufficient number of attendees and consequently lost our deposit for the pool rental. We will follow up with other chapters for lessons learned to improve in this area.

Membership

As of December 31st we were 49 members. Our membership coordinator will be busy renewing membership for the 21 members up for renewal.

Web site

Jérôme has been busy updating the Ottawa web site with information regarding our activities and projects. http://ottawa.saveontarioshipwrecks.on.ca/

Projects

Weehawk

One of the most challenging projects for 2009 was the land plaque for the Weehawk dive site. To initiate this project, I submitted a grant application to the township of Edwardsburg/Cardinal and we have received a grant of $500. In order to ensure that we collect proper historical information about the Weehawk, a new member, Trista Lauzon, stepped up to coordinate the research. Trista has a degree in History and was instrumental with the research and gave a presentation at our August meeting.

More info at the Weehawk project page.

Fred Mercur Underwater plaque

Back in Jan 2009 Mark Labelle approached the Chapter with a proposal to produce and install an underwater plaque for the Fred Mercur and made arrangements with the Forces Sub Aqua club to give us a generous donation of 100$ for the project. The plaque has been produced by Mementos Awards and was presented at the August chapter meeting. We are planning to install the underwater plaque in 2010 season.

Check out a sneak preview of the plaque.

Replacement Buoy for the Eastcliffe Hall

In spring with the help of Chris Holloway, François Malette, Brian Prince, Marg Barker, Frédéric Tremblay and Tom Scott (Buoy Director Thousand Island) we were able to build and install a new replacement custom 55 gallon buoy for the reported missing buoy.

Lock 22

SOS Ottawa chapter is proud to announce that a new buoy has been successfully installed for the Lock 22 site. Thanks to Barry Edgington, Terry Acker, Luc Lafontaine, Nancy Binnie, Andy Fytche and Murray Hollis.

2009 Buoy removal

On Monday Oct 12th, SOS Ottawa removed the following 5 buoys for the 2009 season: Milles Roches Power House, Belly Dumper, Hoople Creek Bridge, Lock 22, Eastcliffe Hall and managed to squeeze in some diving at the same time. Thanks to the following members and volunteers for their help at removing the buoys: Barry Edgington, Dan Kenny, Frank & Julie Malette from Wet Beaver Scuba Charters and Luc Lafontaine. The buoys for the Rothesay and Conestoga were removed by Brian Prince and Marg Barker. Mark Labelle removed the buoy for the Fred Mercur dive site and reported the buoy as damaged and will need to be replaced soon.

Future Projects

In November, Jérôme and I prepared a web based survey to allow members to voice their opinion on future projects and we announced the results the December meeting. In 2010 our main goal for projects will be to complete the Weehawk land plaque project and the Fred Mercur underwater plaque. Then we will be able to dedicate time and effort on new projects that members have voted on.
Future projects
Web voting form (Vote period is now closed)

I would like to thank every member who has contributed at the meetings and projects this year. Without people like you, the mission of the organization cannot be forwarded. In particular, I would like to thank my fellow executive and special function members for their on-going support.

SOS Ottawa Chairperson