• Children under 12 years of age and are not directly supervised: Can operate a vessel with no more than 10 hp (7.5 kW)

• Children between 12 years of age & under 16 years of age and not directly supervised: Can operate a vessel with no more than 40 hp (30 kW)

• Under 16 years of age: Not allowed to operate a PWC

• 16 years of age and over: No power restrictions

RENTING OR BORROWING A BOAT
• You’ve got a cottage for a week or weekend and you want to rent a boat. Whatever the case, if you haven’t driven a boat before, brush up on the rules of the road by reading a copy of the government’s Boating Handbook.

• No matter where your cottage is, be aware of any local boating restrictions. In every case, get the boat checked out thoroughly and ask whoever is renting it to you every question until you are satisfied. That includes a test drive to learn everything you can about the boat and feel comfortable with it before you take others onboard with you.

EN ROUTE TO YOUR COTTAGE OR DESTINATION: TOWING TIPS
1. Make sure the turn signals and brake lights on the trailer and the tow vehicle are operating properly.

2. Allow at least one second for every ten feet of the total length between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Increase the time when the road is wet.

3. Don’t try to prevent others from passing. Maintain a safe speed and drive in the right lane.

4. Stay out of the blind spots of larger trucks or other vehicles. If you can’t see the driver’s face in their mirror, they can’t see you.

5. Never pull in front of a truck and then slow down.

6. Always check the trailer tire pressure before a trip, and then inspect them once a week throughout the season. Also check for cracks in the sidewalls of the tires after five years, then replace the tires after seven years. The last four digits of the DOT number reveals the week and year the tire was manufactured.

7. When passing a stopped emergency vehicle, move to the next lane or slow down to 60 km. The fine for not doing so is $235.

8. At night it’s easy to be blinded by oncoming traffic. Look to the right side of the road as it takes more time for your eyes to adjust after looking into a bright light.

9. In fog or haze use your low beams or running lights. In good weather turn off the low mounted driving lights, as they shine into the eyes of drivers ahead.

10.Always be prepared to stop and look far ahead to where you will be in the next 15 seconds.

-Garth Cane (Page Top)

SAFETY AND EMERGENECY GEAR: DON’T LEAVE SHORE WITHOUT IT
Essential boat, life saving and emergency gear are important items. From life jackets and paddles to fire extinguishers and flares, emergency gear must be on board, in good condition and close at hand.
Here’s another list of safety essentials:

• Life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs).
There must be an approved jacket or PFD for every person on board, it must fit properly and be appropriate for the activity.

• A buoyant heaving line.
The most effective unit for when someone falls overboard or to send a line to another vessel. Ensure you have the kind that can be thrown into the wind.

• Oars, paddles and an anchor with no less than 15 meters of line, cable or chain.
If your engine quits simply row your boat to shore or anchor and wait for help. In poor weather, dragging the anchor off the bow will help keep the boat pointed into the wind and waves.

• Signaling equipment.
A watertight flashlight and set of flares can be used to signal for assistance. Ensure batteries are fresh and flares are replaced every four years.

• Sound signaling devices.
An onboard horn or small air-powered hailer are the most effective devices. (Remember a boat horn won’t work if the battery has died).

• Bailer or manual hand pump.
Find and stop the leak first. A bailer or pump will help clear water from your boat in an emergency.

• Boarding devices - a ladder or platform.
It is unsafe to climb back onboard using the running gear and it’s difficult to get someone back on board if they are unconscious.

• Fire extinguisher.
Buy two. Maintain and routinely check the pressure.

• Emergency Kit.
A knife, flashlight, whistle, first aid kit, emergency rations, drinking water and dry clothing are the essentials.

There are several other devices that could be included in this list, especially if your boat is more than six meters. For more information contact www.boatingsafety.gc.ca

–Mark King

WAKEBOARDERS, SKIERS, DRIVERS AND SPOTTERS……KEEP IN MIND
• In Ontario it’s against the law to operate a boat to tow water skiers, wakeboarders, knee boarders or tubers in a way dangerous to the public.

• It is also illegal to tow without someone, other than the driver, spotting.

• You must have the appropriate seating and PFDs for all passengers, including those being towed.

(Read full story in the magazine) (Page Top)