Island County waters present some special challenges for boaters, sailors, kayakers and others. Strong tides and currents, brisk winds, especially rough patches, active shipping lanes, rocks, shallows, fog and a whole set of hazards at Deception Pass are just a few that require local knowledge and wise preparation.
Doug Bishop knows these hazards first hand from years of exploring local waters. A boater since 1976, he has been teaching boating skills and safety to students since 1996. The retired chief financial officer from Whidbey General Hospital holds an advance pilot rating with the Deception Pass Power Squadron. He has taught seamanship, rules of the road, piloting and navigation, local knowledge, and cruising in Canada.
Bishop will share information on the tides and currents of Puget Sound, the effects and hazards of wind on currents, the roughest waters to watch out for, predicting when rough waters will occur, hydraulic currents and Deception Pass hazards, predicting safe passage, the two main fog types, crossing shipping lanes, rocks and shallow areas, and some practical safety suggestions.
