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Safety
Regulations (22-2)
By Mark King
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 In
the world of recreational boating, safety, regulations
and practices constantly change.
While governments strive to develop a set of stable
rules for the water, new technology and practices are
constantly offering improvements. Knowledge grows, experience
teaches and the ability to study information quickly
means changes can be made promptly.
Issues that seem far removed from the world of recreational
boating – such as the war on terrorism –
can have an impact on our conduct on the water. With
the addition of all the other changes to regulations
(i.e. modifications to aids to navigation in your area),
it can be difficult to keep current with newly formed
policies or laws that are important to your safety on
the water. But, it has to be done. It is your responsibility
to gather this information and have it close at hand.
Let’s look at a couple of examples.
Following September 11, 2001, military presence by the
United States at remote locations was increased throughout
the world. It was easily determined United States military
property could be subject to attack, anywhere in the
world, hence, the Naval Protection Zone was established.
Canadian recreational boaters operating along the coasts
or in the Great Lakes are likely to be affected by this
when they are in United States or International waters,
but all Canadian boaters should be aware.
The Naval Protection Zone states you do not approach
a US naval vessel within 100 yards. If you do need to
pass within 100 yards of a US naval vessel in order
to assure safe passage within the rules of navigation,
you must contact the official patrol on VHF, Channel
16. Further, you must operate at minimum speed within
500 yards of any US naval vessel and proceed as directed
by the Commanding Officer or the official patrol. Violation
of the Naval Protection Zone is a felony offence and
has a penalty of up to six years in jail and fines of
$250,000.
One area where we will likely see change in the future
is the mandatory equipment list that’s required
for recreational vessels. Just prior to instituting
operator permits, the government reviewed and changed
equipment requirements. They provided more detail for
the different types of recreational watercraft from
rowboats and paddleboats to 60-foot pleasure crafts.
Even as these changes were adopted, they were being
discussed and challenged. For example, while flares
are currently mandated safety equipment for certain
types of vessels in certain operating conditions, it
has been argued they can also be a danger for boats
and boaters. They are pyrotechnic devices that burn
– not the sort of thing that you would generally
want to carry on board your boat.
However, these devices must be properly stored on your
boat to ensure they will work when they are needed.
So, the debate continues about other devices that could
replace flares in the future.
There are no changes on the horizon yet, but don¡¯t
be surprised as technology advances.
When the new regulations were introduced in the late
1990s, it was recommended that boats have a compass
on board. Safety courses teach that compasses were valuable
pieces of equipment and they could help you in an emergency.
But they are not part of the equipment requirements
for boats. If you read the regulations, there has been
a change.
Specifically the rules now say: ¡°Pleasure craft propelled
by oars and pleasure craft 8 m (26¡¯3¡±) or less in
length within sight of navigational marks do not require
a compass or a compass bearing device. ¡°Power-driven
pleasure craft greater than 8 m (26¡¯3¡±) in length
require a properly adjusted compass. If the voyage is
more than 20 nautical miles (37 km) from shore a compass
bearing device is required.¡±
There are many boats longer than eight metres that do
not have a properly adjusted compass on board. Of course,
properly adjusted means ¡°swung¡± with a deviation table.
But this is another topic and a technical one. Boaters
also have to be aware of changes to navigation aids,
temporary or permanent. In the late 1990s, the Coast
Guard went through a process to streamline the aids
that were available. In many places, aids were eliminated
or changed.
If you listen to the Coast Guard VHF radio broadcasts
while you are boating, current navigation aid issues
are listed along with the weather forecasts. However,
over the long term, there are changes that become permanent
and must be marked on your charts to keep them current.
Fortunately for weekend boaters ¨C and everyone else
¨C there are internet sites where you can pick up all
the latest information.
You should add these to your list of favorite places
to visit to keep current on all the latest information
that will help you be a safer boater.
At http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/atn-aln/publications_e.htm
you can read and download and print all the publications
that you need to understand the Aids to Navigation system
and pick up the latest Notices to Mariners that tell
you about changes to Aids. This site also tells you
where to purchase other publications that you would
like to have on board.
At http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/menu.htm you can
cruise through a great deal of safety information for
boaters and watch for new items. (Page
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