Top Island Econaut Dive Club Membership

 


See Club Philosophy


Annual membership dues are $45.00 / diver.  


In order to become a diving member, the following criteria must be met:

  1. •Valid dive certification (e.g. NAUI, PADI, etc.).

  2. •Must have recent experience as a cold-water diver.

  3. •An Application for Membership (see below) must be filled in supported by nomination by a member of the Top Island Econauts.

  4. •An annual Dive Liability Waiver must be submitted by new members (if accepted). This is in addition to the online liability waiver to be filled in before every dive day. 

  5. •Members must adhere to the Club Philosophy and standards, and must have watched the Diving Risk Awareness video and read the Standard Operating Procedures.

  6. •Dues must be paid and are due annually on January 2nd.  Any outstanding air bills are also due at this time.  In accordance with Bylaws, if dues are not paid within 60 days, membership ceases.


Forms (click to download):

  1. •Dive welcome 2025.pdf
    - Please ensure you read the membership criteria in this document.

  2. •Dive Liability Release 2025.pdf
    - To be filled in by all applicants to the Club. This is also the waiver that must be filled (electronically) at the beginning of every dive day.

  3. •Apply new membership 2025.pdf
    Only to be filled in by new applicants.


Liability:

Note that the Top Island Econauts Dive Club (Organization) is a collective of friends who share a vessel to make safe and responsible diving accessible to members. We are not a dive charter company. There is great attention to protocols and procedures that ensure safety. However, all responsibility lies with individual club members to ensure their wellbeing. The Organization is free from any and all liability for any damage, loss, expense or injury resulting from participation in the Organization’s activities.

Dive Procedure:

Dive dates: Dives are announced at the monthly meeting and listed in the monthly bulletin and on-line under Dives/Events.  The Dive Coordinator can be called for dive information at 250-956-4902 (Andy Hanke).


Dive sign-up: Divers can sign up at the meeting or by calling the Dive Coordinator. A minimum of 4 local dive members is needed for the boat to go out.


Confirming or cancelling dives: The Dive Coordinator is to be called by the Wednesday prior to a dive to confirm participation and organization.


Fuel fee: There is a fuel fee of $35.00 per boat dive per diver. If there are only two divers, the fuel fee is $70 per diver per dive. The fuel fee for May Long Weekend dives is $50/diver.

Membership dues and fuel fees can be made via e-transfer to econauts(@)telus.net or via cheque to Top Island Econauts, Box 1424, Port McNeill, V0N-2R0.


Dive equipment: In addition to all standard dive equipment, members must dive with a sheaved knife, light, BCD, and safe second. Cylinders must be up to date with hydrostatic testing and visual inspections.

Health and safety:

It is the member’s responsibility to relay any health issues and medications via a double-sealed envelope to the Club President. This will be kept, sealed, in the first aid kit that is always on the boat when we dive. It will only to be opened in case of a medical emergency.

It is Club policy that all diving members dive with a BCD, light, knife and safe second and that cylinders must be up to date with hydrostatic testing and visual inspections.

It is expected that all members are vaccinated for COVID-19 as per the latest guidance from the Provincial Health Authority.

It is expected that all members have membership with the Divers’ Alert Network.

All members must sign a liability waiver before every dive day.

All members must have read the Standard Operating Procedures and watched the Dive Risk Awareness video. Both are available at this link.

To Apply for Top Island Econaut Membership:

Ensure you have read the above information and the Dive Welcome document.

Submit the completed Liability Release and Membership Application by one of the following means, with the understanding that memberships are reviewed at the monthly Club meeting.

- Mail: Top Island Econauts; Box 1424; Port McNeill; V0N 2R0

- Scan and email: Click here to email.

Text from the Club Constitution Pertaining to Membership:

2.2a DIVING MEMBERSHIP - Diving Members must possess a valid, current certification from a training agency deemed acceptable by the executive. A diving member in good standing shall have full voting privileges.

2.3 A person may apply to the Board for membership in the Society, and the person becomes a member on the Board’s unanimous acceptance of the application and when he has undertaken to subscribe to one (1) year’s annual dues.

2.4.  The members of the Society shall have the right to reject any application for membership, for any reason it deems sufficient.

2.7.  Membership in the Society will cease and ceases to be in good standing, in the following cases, namely:

(a)  Where the member dies or becomes of unsound mind;
(b)  Where the member resigns from membership;
(c)  Where the member fails for a period of sixty (60) days after due date to make payment of any sum which he is under obligation to pay to the Society, whether for subscription, dues, fees or otherwise;
(d)  Where, as in accordance with Bylaw 2.5, he is removed from membership.


Current Executive:

Dive Coordinator - Andy Hanke
President – Jackie Hildering

Vice President – Danielle Lacasse

Secretary / Treasurer – Jacqui Engel

Directors - 2 year term remaining - Alex Spicer and Gord Jenkins

Directors - 1 year term remaining - Linnea Flostrand and Stephanie Lacasse