The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
For many people a boat is an important part of their life. For some it's a way to get to the spot where the lunkers are hiding, for others a boat is all about speed, skiing or tubing, perhaps a boat is a workhorse or simply a method of transportation. But whatever people use a boat or they should be thinking "safety first". Everyone operating a boat or even riding in a boat should be aware of a few "rules of the road" some of which have been around for years and reflect a lot of common sense. For example; stay away from beaches and other areas marked by buoys, watch your speed in areas such as marinas or if you are within 30 metres of the shoreline. In other words don't raise a wake. If you are pulling a water skier you must have someone in the boat that is acting as a spotter and the boat must have a seat for the skier. If you are using a personal watercraft to tow a skier it must be at least three seats. Remember too, that you cannot tow a skier after one hour after sunset or before sunrise. Also, don't forget about your prop when pulling people into the boat, turn off the engine so the person in the water isn't in danger from the turning prop. "One of the most important safety things I would like to stress is that drinking and boating don't mix," says Saskatchewan Environment Conservation Officer, Dave Silversides. "Every year we have to deal with instances where alcohol played a role in boating accidents that have resulted in injuries and, in some cases, deaths. Approximately one-third of all drownings in Canada involve boating. You should also be aware that drinking in a boat could be expensive. The penalty for operating a boat while impaired is the same as operating a motor vehicle while impaired. It is also illegal to have alcohol in your boat unless you are transporting it to a residence, cabin or campsite." Environment's Silversides also reminds boaters there is mandatory safety equipment that every boat has to have. Although some of the equipment may vary, depending on the size of the boat or waterbody, every boat must have paddles, a flashlight, a manual sounding device such as a whistle, bailing buckets, throwing devices that could be used to pull someone from the water, a fire extinguisher and perhaps even flares. Environment's Silversides says one of the most important things to carry is lifejackets or personal floatation devices. "Every boat must have a lifejacket or personal flotation device for every person in the boat," says Environment's Silversides. "They must be Department of Transport Canada approved or Canada Coast Guard approved and they must be in good condition. Although you don't have to wear a lifejacket when you are in a boat it is highly recommended that you do so. Conservation Officers and RCMP officers often inspect boats and will enforce the regulations." There have also been some other recent changes to boating regulations that all boaters must be aware of. Mandatory operator training has been introduced and is being phased in over a several year period. For example, everyone born after April 1, 1983 must have a Pleasure Craft Operators Card operate a boat. As of September 15, 2002 everyone operating a boat less than four metres in length has to have an Operators Card and after September 15, 2009 all operators will have to have a Pleasure Craft Operators Card. Anyone operating a personal watercraft such as a seadoo, must have their Pleasure Craft Operators Card. As well, no one under the age of 16 years may operate a personal watercraft. People interested in writing the exam for a Pleasure Craft Operators Card may find a nearby boating safety course provider by going to www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/providers/list.htm
