No. Q007/05
For release October 4, 2005

OPENING OF THE MIGRATORY BIRD
HUNTING SEASON: TRANSPORT CANADA
REMINDS HUNTERS ABOUT BOATING SAFETY

QUEBEC – With the opening of migratory bird hunting season, Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary invite hunters who practice their sport aboard a boat to exercise caution and to respect boating safety rules at all times.

Hunters must make sure they have all the safety equipment required on board. Equipment must include a sufficient number of personal floating devices (PFD) or life jackets of proper size for each person on board. All infractions to this regulation could lead to a fine of $200 or more per infraction.

More than just a regulatory requirement, personal floating devices and life jackets can save lives. It is therefore strongly recommended that they be worn at all times while aboard a boat. It is also very important that they be worn as per the manufacturers guidelines, since they could prove to be useless if worn incorrectly.

Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary would also like to remind hunters/boaters to make sure their navigation lights are in good working order and they meet the standards before heading out. The weather forecast should also be checked prior to departure.

Furthermore, in order to avoid a stranding, we recommend that hunters/boaters be well informed of the tides and water levels, based on regions. The current low water levels in certain areas of the Saint-Laurence River could impede safe navigation. For more information contact the Canadian Hydrographic Service at 1-877-775-0790 or visit the Web site at www.tides.gc.ca .

For information on boating safety, please call the Boating Safety Infoline at 1-800-267-6687 or visit the Office of Boating Safety Web site at www.boatingsafety.gc.ca .
 

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