Canada Boat Laws -Heads-UP

[Riceburner]

Got a "Heads-up" from a friend that the Canadian Laws passed in late 1998, but mostly not enforced, will be enforced in 2000. Here's what you need for your average fishing boat under 19.6 ft. (6meters)..
--One Canadian-approved personal flotation device per person PLUS one buoyant heaving line of not less than 50 feet.
--paddle and fire extinguisher
--one bailer or manual water pump with enough hose to pump the water over the side of the boat
--a WATERTIGHT flashlite or three Canadian approved flares of type a-b-or c.
--sound signally device
--Children 12-16 years, operating the boat alone must have taken and passed an accredited boating course.
--no alcohol

Apparantly the initial checks are finding mass non-compliance and some hefty fines ---not arguing the laws here-just a reminder for your info.

[acp]

I don't know if your post is directed at Canadian registered boats or non-Canadian.

From what I can find boats that are not registered in Canada must meet the safety equipment requirements of the Country/State where they are registered.

Below is an excerpt from the Canadian Coast Guard web site, URL: #####://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/obs-bsn/sbg-gsn/legal_e.htm

"If you are operating a boat that is licensed, registered, or titled in a country outside Canada, you must comply with safety equipment requirements of the country in which the boat is registered or licenced. Foreign visitors operating a Canadian licensed or registered vessel must comply with Canadian regulations."

I only post this for clarification and I'm not advocating any particular type of safety equipment. Safety should be a personal issue, but we must follow the laws of where ever we operate our boats or pay the consequences.

For the text of the Canadian Shipping Act, Small Vessel Regulations go to URL: #####://www.tc.gc.ca/Actsregs/csa-lmmc/csa76.html#0.2.VF5B4I.Z2BFBE.ZEFTID.U2

You will note in there that Canadian registered boats under 6 meters are required to have "manual propelling device" OR an anchor with such and such a rope attached.

What would we do if we didn't have our governments looking out for are well being?


Later....

Al

[Mike]

....our beings had better be well!

If you know what I mean....

[acp]

Mike,

Yes, I know what you mean. We complain about taxes down here South of the border but from what I understand you guys up North really take it in the pocket book.

These darn governments, you can't live with them and you can't live without them. Or is that really true?

Later....

Al

[jeff reed]

A FRICKIN Paddle????? ARE THE CANADIENS NUTS??? I have 2 gas motors and 2 electrics to make my boat go forward. Trying to PADDLE an 18 foot boat is about as practical as using a Gelding Horse to sire a foal. The Canadiens need to try pushing their cars to the next hockey game and see if they think that's practical.

[Den]

Jeff, look at the state laws too, most have a requirement of a paddle or oar as a saftey requirement also.good luck and good fishin. oh one year in canada i did paddle a 18 foot boat for 4 miles before i got to where i could be seen, and then towed in. so, if the need is there it will work, it may take a few hours, but it does work. but i agree, i also have 2 outboards, and a electric, but the law is the law.
Den

[Time to Move]

Those are all good requirements. Maybe if all boaters would heed such good advice the Coast Guards and Commercial Tow people would be able to find time to go fishing instead of towing and searching for drowned bodies!

[Gary]

I know when I bought my boat, I thought what a hassle, but being ex-military, having the basic equipment makes sense. I do have 2 paddles in my boat, makes sense to have 2 people paddling than 1.

[Hans]

I have a couple of "telescoping" aluminum/plastic paddles that have come in handy a few times, like when you drift into shallow muck or similar "can't run the engine here" situations.

They take up almost no room in the bottom of the rod lockers.

Hans

--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)