Better boating - Make safety your first-mate
Hitting the water is one of summer’s wonders. Blue skies, gentle waves, and stunning nature set the backdrop for a lifetime of memories. With the right safety behaviours and tools, you can ensure that those memories stay pristine, whether you’re out for an easy cruise on the lake, some fishing on your favourite river, or a multi-day trip.
Navigating nautical perils
According to industry experts, there are a number of risks that can arise when you are on open waters.
Severe weather – When in doubt, stay on the dock or parked in the marina. Wind and foul weather can whip up in a moment’s notice. So, check the forecast and wind warnings before heading out.
Running aground – You can help minimize the risk by consulting your maps and charts, keeping a careful eye on hidden dangers, and maintaining a safe speed. If you do run aground, stop and assess your situation, check if you or your passengers are injured, look for damage, then try to free your boat.
Going overboard – You and your passengers should avoid behaviours that can lead to going overboard. To prepare for the potential of going overboard, always wear an approved lifejacket with a collar which will help keep heads above the water and minimize the impact of cold-water shock or hypothermia.
Taking on water or capsizing – Ensure a positive experience on the water by inspecting hull fittings for cracks or damage, checking to see if your bilge pump is in good working order, and avoiding rough waters to prevent waves from rushing over your boat’s ledge. If your boat does capsize, stay with the hull as it will help rescuers find you.
Propulsion loss – Check your engine or motor before heading out. If it happens to fail, drop anchor and inspect for possible causes like a disconnected kill switch lanyard, a tripped circuit breaker, or debris in the intake. Failing that, call a local marina or towing service on VHF radio or your cell phone.
Collisions – Keep a constant eye and ear out for other boats and keep the good experiences going. If a collision does occur, check for injuries, inspect both vessels for leaks or fire hazards, and exchange information for insurance purposes. For serious injury or damage, the collision will need to be reported to Marine Communications and Traffic Services or local law enforcement.
Fires – Make sure that you use ignition protected parts and functioning bilge blowers. If a fire does break out, immediately shut off the engine and fuel supply, put out or contain the fire with a boat fire extinguisher, broadcast a distress call, position the boat so that the wind blows the fire away from the boat and passengers, and wear lifejackets to prepare to abandon ship if necessary.
Carbon monoxide – This undetectable danger can accumulate in enclosed cabins and other places on your boat, so make sure that you have and regularly inspect your marine-grade CO detectors and keep a fresh flow of air throughout your boat.
On deck with safety tech
Navigate the future of safe boating with these new innovations:
Intelligent navigation – Advance navigation systems now feature artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning that use cameras and sensors to analyze real-time data to provide guidance and alerts to help avoid collisions and aid navigation.
Wireless man overboard – tags worn on a wrist band, carabiner, or key ring float can set off an alarm if a passenger goes overboard or can activate the engine kill-switch if the captain goes over.
Proving that you’re water-worthy
Remember, to operate a motorized recreational boat, you must possess proof of competency like a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). A Transport Canada accredited boating safety course provider can help provide the knowledge and tests that lead to a PCOC.
Responsible boating
Put plainly, impaired boating is dangerous. It also carries the same criminal risk as driving a car while impaired – under s.320.14(1) of the Criminal Code, you can face charges for boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Sail safely and enjoy the water
Protect your summer fun. With the right behaviours and tools, you can minimize your boating risks while maximizing the joy on the water. Boat on!
