Vancouver – Fisheries and Oceans Canada Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety today announced the introduction of the Universal Shoreline Speed Restriction, now in effect on all inland waters of British Columbia. Under the Boating Restriction Regulations, the Universal Shoreline Speed Restriction restricts all power-driven vessels to 10 km/h while operating within 30 m of shore on all inland waters of British Columbia. There is an exception which permits vessels to travel perpendicularly away from the shoreline where a higher speed may be required to tow a skier, wakeboard, etc. The regulation also does not apply to rivers that are less than 100 m in width or in buoyed channels. The Coast Guard held extensive public consultations throughout BC in 1999 and 2000. Public response indicated a high level of support for the proposed restrictions, particularly for inland waters. Stakeholders agreed that power-driven vessels may pose safety and environmental concerns on waterways while operating close to shore. Further information on the Universal Shoreline Speed Restriction, and the Boating Restriction Regulations is available by calling the Office of Boating Safety hotline at 1-800-267-6687. It can also be viewed at: http://www.tc.gc.ca/Actsregs/csa-lmmc/csa5-a.html - 30 -
Email: obs-pacific@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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