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 It's
Never Too Soon To Be Safe
by
Mark King
According to the
Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA), 85 per cent of on-the-water
accidents are caused by careless boaters.
"Murphy's Law is the number one rule on the
water. If you don't pay attention to the essential details,
it will mean trouble," says Danny Gaisin, media relations
officer for the CCGA. "If you have a leak in your boat and
think you can maintain it by pumping out the water every hour
or so, it's not a good idea to go out. Boating is also the
only sport I know where people deliberately set out in bad
weather."
Gaisin knows trouble when he sees it. He
is just one of the 5,000 volunteers of the auxiliary who spends
many hours on the water each season responding to calls from
boaters in distress.
Since its inception in 1978, CCGA members
have been credited with saving 4,000 lives and completing
36,000 missions. With 1,400 enrolled vessels, the auxiliary's
mission is to provide a permanent day and night SaR service
to prevent the loss of life and injury.
According to Gaisin, the CCGA is involved
in everything from courtesy inspections to life-saving rescues.
In addition, 5,000 boaters are assisted in non-distress marine
incidents and millions of dollars in property are saved every
year.
Events marking the auxiliary's 25th anniversary
were held in Kingston, Ontario at the Royal Military College
and Fort Henry August 7-9.
In addition, with its Central and Arctic regions,
the CCGA held a Search and Rescue competition August 7 at
Portsmouth Harbour and at the HMCS Cataraqui, a marine facility
located downtown Kingston. The winner will have the opportunity
to compete internationally. (Top)
Gaisin became involved with the organization
when he wanted to help at his local marina. The manager suggested
he join the local search, rescue and water safety organization.
"I volunteered because I was a good navigator
and radio operator. They told me I would have to be additionally
trained because crewmembers on each rescue boat must be able
to do every job."
Training includes advanced first aid, navigation
and boat handling, radio techniques, and search and rescue.
The CCGA also offers a courtesy inspection
program.
"When we do a courtesy inspection, there is
no fine involved. We check for mandatory gear and if something
is missing, we inform the boater. If everything is OK, we
give them a sticker and thus they will be less likely to be
stopped by an enforcement unit."
If their equipment doesn't meet proper safety
standards, they can purchase the required equipment and have
another inspection. If they pass, they will then receive their
sticker.
"I think there's a need for us to become more
proactive in safety issues," adds Gaisin.
"Anyone who has an interest and time can
become a member.
"All you need is a boat and some people willing
to spend a little time."
For further information log on to www.ccga-gcac.org
or contact Gaisin at dangaisin@3web.net.
(Top)
Lifeline
is produced through the Safe Boater Training Program, a certification
program for recreational boaters.
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