Safe boating is no accident.
Every year, about 200 people die in boating accidents across Canada.
There are some things you should know to help ensure your safety and prevent accidents.
- Wear your life-jacket. Approximately 90 per cent of all drowning victims in recreational boating incidents were not wearing a life-jacket or personal flotation device. There should be a life-jacket or personal flotation device for every person on the boat. They must be Canadian-approved and of an appropriate size for each person.
- Don’t drink and drive. At least 40 per cent of all power boating fatality victims had a blood alcohol level above the legal driving limit. Driving a boat while impaired is a Criminal Code offence. You could be fined $600 or more, prohibited from operating a boat for up to three years and imprisoned, possibly for life, not to mention seriously injured or killed.
- Keep fire extinguishers at the most fire sensitive areas on your vessel such as the galley or engine room. Ensure your crew knows where the fire extinguishers are located.
Boat tours
If you are taking a boat tour, here are some things to consider:
- Commercial boat operators are required to provide safety briefings to passengers. Make sure your operator does this so that you know where the life-jackets are and what to do in the event of an emergency.
- Tell the boat operator in advance how many children are in your party.
- Ensure the proper numbers and sizes of life jackets are available when you board.
- Ask boat operators if they have a valid Transport Canada inspection certificate. You may also look for a sticker being placed on small passenger vessels over the coming months as part of a new campaign to help passengers identify boats that have received a valid inspection certificate.
Safety equipment
The following safety devices are required by law:
- Sound-signaling devices or appliances are required on all pleasure boats. These can range from a pealess whistle, a compressed gas or electric horn to electric whistles and bells.
- Most small pleasure boats are also required to have a watertight flashlight or flares. If your boat is in distress, this could be the only way of calling for help.
- Lifebuoys are required by law on pleasure boats over eight metres long. When buying a lifebuoy, look for the Transport Canada approval sticker. Store the lifebuoy so that it is readily accessible in the event someone falls overboard.
Other useful items include:
- Spare clothing in a watertight bag, in case the weather changes or you get wet.
- Drinking water and high-energy snacks.
- First aid kit, stored in a dry place. Remember to replace used and outdated contents regularly.
- Tool kit for any minor repairs needed while out on the water. It is also a good idea to have the owner’s manual with you.
Proof of competency
All operators of motorized pleasure boats less than four metres in length need to have proof of competency on board at all times. In addition, all pleasure boat operators born after April 1, 1983 must have proof of competency, regardless of vessel size.
There are three ways you can demonstrate proof of competency:
- prove that you have successfully completed a boating safety course before April 1, 1999;
- obtain a pleasure craft operator card; or
- complete a rental-boat safety checklist, obtainable from the boat rental agency. This safety checklist is only valid for the period of time for which the boat is rented.
Age restrictions
There are certain age restrictions for operating power boats. For example, children under the age of 12 may not operate a boat with more than 10 hp (horse power) without supervision. As well, children between 12 and 16 may not operate a boat with more than 40 hp without supervision.
For more information on safe boating, check out the Office of Boating Safety’s Web site or call the Boating Safety Infoline at 1-800-267-6687.
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