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Cruise
Online to Study Safe Boating (21-1)
by Mark King
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 Locating
information on the Internet about safe boating regulations
in Canada used to be difficult. In addition to only
being found on foreign websites, information was scattered
and difficult to navigate. However, since The Office
of Boating Safety fell under the direction of Transport
Canada in 2003, its site has evolved into a useful tool
and a valuable source of information for Canadian recreational
boaters.
“I think the realignment with Transport Canada
has made the (Office of Safe Boating) website better
since Transport Canada is a better fit,” said
Peter Garapick, regional manager of Transport Canada,
Office of Boating Safety. “We have the same culture
and our website is more suited to their approach.”
The site features drop down menus and a homepage featuring
information such as various regulations, Canadian safety
standards, pleasure craft competency requirements, necessary
onboard safety equipment, practical boating advice plus
a list of recalls from marine manufacturers.
In addition to boating safety bulletins, the site provides
information about onboard safety gear, on-water hazards
as well as pertinent safety and security messages posted
by the United States Coast Guard.
If you want to learn more about safe boating than what
is offered in the Pleasure Craft Competency Course,
a section of the site is devoted to acts and regulations
that govern boating in Canada. Eight documents are available:
The Canada Shipping Act, Small Vessel Regulations; Competency
of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations; Collision
Regulations; Contravention Act; Contravention Regulations;
Pleasure Craft Sewage Pollution Prevention Regulations;
Aids to Navigation Protection regulations; Private Buoy
regulations and the Rental Boat Safety Checklist.
Online users will also appreciate the benefits of the
new publication page that allows access to Canada’s
Safe Boating Guide. Information ranges from the proper
use of flares and cold water emergencies to preserving
the environment and establishing a boating restriction.
A vessel maintenance guide is even accessible.
Over the past decade, major efforts have been made in
Canada to modernize boating safety standards and align
them with regulations of other nations and non-profit
groups, including the American Boat and Yacht Council
that conducts a great deal of research on making boats
safer.
Featured links also lead to Justice Canada and the Canada
Gazette where users can learn more about boating regulations.
“You will see more of this type of information
in the future as we find better ways to present information
online,” says Garapick. (Page Top) |
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