THE OFFICE OF BOATING SAFETY

Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety promotes safe boating among users of pleasure craft including powerboats, personal watercraft, canoes and kayaks, sailboats and sailboards, and airboats. The Office of Boating Safety, with officials across Canada, works closely with recreational boating communities to help reduce the safety risks and environmental impacts associated with boating. For example, the office manages the licensing of boats, delivers boating safety education and awareness initiatives, oversees federal regulations and standards, and works with enforcement agencies to monitor the compliance of pleasure craft operators with these regulations.

BOATING SAFETY TIPS

As you head off to enjoy Canada's waterways, the Office of Boating Safety reminds you to take the following precautions to protect yourself, your family and fellow boaters:

Always wear a personal flotation device
Approximately 90 per cent of all drowning victims in recreational boating incidents were not wearing a flotation device. A personal flotation device (PFD) or life-jacket is the best insurance you can have. Wear it. All pleasure craft operating in Canada are required to have one Canadian-approved PFD or life-jacket of appropriate size for each person on board. Parents should make sure that children always wear an approved PFD or life-jacket of the appropriate size; however, this equipment is no substitute for adult supervision.

Take a boating safety course. Get your Operator Card
Anyone who operates a pleasure boat fitted with a motor is either already required to have proof of competency on board at all times, or will have to carry proof of competency by September 15, 2009. Transport Canada strongly recommends that all boaters take a safe boating course, whether they are required to carry a proof of competency at this time or not, since these courses cover the full range of boating information, such as minimum safety equipment required on your boat, the Canadian Aids to Navigation system, how to share waterways, pertinent regulations, and how to respond in an emergency situation.

Don't mix alcohol and boating
Drinking while boating is extremely dangerous - and it's a criminal offence. At least 40 per cent of all power boating fatality victims had a blood alcohol level above the legal driving amount. So, remember, don't "cruise with booze".

Protect your children
Transport Canada cautions all personal watercraft operators not to carry children under the age of six. Young children do not have all the necessary skills to ride safely. All persons should be seated behind the operator and everyone aboard should wear a personal flotation device or life-jacket of appropriate size.

Follow the rules
Review the fundamentals of navigation so you can recognize hazards and dangerous situations. When in doubt, stop or slow down to assess the situation. Canoes, kayaks and other non-powered boats should avoid interfering with the navigation of larger vessels.

Make sure others can see you
Make sure your boat has the proper navigation lights, and that all lights are in working order. Other vessels depend on your navigation lights to avoid collisions. Transport Canada strongly recommends that canoes, kayaks and other small, non-powered vessels be fitted with a fixed white navigation light, in addition to the required flashlight, if they intend to operate during special events such as fireworks festivals.

Be prepared
Before setting out, take a few minutes to inspect your vessel to ensure the engine and equipment are in good working order. Make sure the vessel has enough fuel for the trip. Have a marine VHF radio available and make sure you know how to use it for distress communications. Know the proper protocols for using the radio and monitor Channel 16 so that you can to provide assistance to fellow boaters if necessary.

Exercise caution with flares
Flares are used for indicating a distress situation. When flares are shot off, response units search for the source. Make sure they are not used unnecessarily, as misuse ties up these resources and, in close quarters, can cause injury.

For more information, call the Boating Safety Infoline at 1-800-267-6687 (613-991-9002 outside Canada), or visit the Office of Boating Safety website. 

November 2004