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 Boating
& Marine
Safe
Boating Tips from the Office of Boating Safety
Safety is a
shared responsibility.
Recreational
boaters must take an active role in ensuring our waterways are safer
for everyone. A boating safety course makes sense. Educating yourself
on your craft and its limits, the nautical rules of the road and safe
boating techniques will improve safety on the waterways.
To
go boating, you need proof of competency.
Did you know
that all operators of vessels fitted with a motor and under four
metres in length (including personal watercraft) are required to have
an Operator Competency Card for this boating season? Transport Canada
strongly recommends that all operators take an accredited boating
safety course to get their cards. For a list of accredited course
providers and more information, visit http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/menu.htm or call 1-800-267-6687.
Save
a life. Wear your flotation device.
Every year
more than 600 lives are lost due to drowning. According to the
Canadian Red Cross, 70 per cent of boaters who drowned were not
wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket. If they had,
many of these fatalities could have been avoided. Transport Canada strongly urges boaters to wear their PFD or lifejacket at all
times. It’s simple – it’s your life, preserve it.
Don’t
cruise with booze.
At least 40
per cent of all power-boating fatality victims had a blood alcohol
level above the legal driving limit. Mixing alcohol and boating is
far more dangerous than most people realize. Fatigue, sun, wind and
the motion of the boat dull the senses and alcohol intensifies these
effects. Booze and boats simply don’t mix. Operating a vessel
while impaired is illegal and an offence under the Criminal Code.
Convictions, even for a first offence, can result in heavy punishment.
Careless
operation of a vessel can lead to fines.
Operating a
vessel in a careless and inconsiderate manner is against the law.
Know the risks, and play by the rules. If you jump waves or come
unreasonably close to other vessels, disturb the peace, speed near
swimmers, play chicken or weave through congested traffic at high
speed, you risk receiving a hefty fine and possibly ending up in
front of a judge.
Boaters
beware – carbon monoxide can kill.
In the last
year, an alarming number of boating fatalities were caused by carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning. Such deaths can occur when swimming or
diving around pontoons or platforms mounted on vessels or being in
areas where engine exhaust gases may accumulate. Cooking, heating or
even leaving a motor on idle can result in a dangerous build-up of
CO, a toxic, odourless, tasteless and non-irritating gas that can
kill within minutes. Be aware of the hazards and take precautions.
Install a CO detection system and only use fuel-burning appliances
under well-ventilated conditions.
Kayakers – make sure you’re seen on the water.
Even in
bright, calm conditions a kayak can be invisible. It’s
especially difficult for powerboats and large vessels riding high in
the water to see kayaks. Remember, even if you can see other boats,
they may not be able to see you. Make sure that you are well seen and
heard. The colour of your kayak and your PFD or lifejacket can play
an important role. Yellow, orange and red are the colours that are
the most visible on water. Take precautions and keep signalling
devices within hand’s reach.
Don’t
take a child under six on your personal watercraft.
Transport Canada is cautioning all personal watercraft operators not to
carry passengers under the age of six. Young children do not have the
necessary skills to ride safely and tragic accidents could result.
All passengers should be seated behind the operator and everyone
aboard should wear a personal flotation device or lifejacket of the
appropriate size.
Age and
horsepower restrictions save lives.
It’s
everyone’s responsibility to know the rules:
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