A properly fitted vessel is a safer vessel

WHILE IT is possible to own
a pleasure boat with no train-
ing or licence for the opera-
tor, there aré rules and regu-
lations that the Canadian
Coast Guard can enforce.

By Martin Millerchip
Contributing Writer

Every vessel 5 metres (m) or
under that can be powered by a 10
horsepower motor or more must
- catry a capacity plate.

It certifies that the boat meets
or exceeds minimum construction
standards and indicates the maxi-
mum gross load capacity, total
engine power and number of
adults that can safely be transport-
ed in fair weather operating con-
ditions.

The beat itself is required to be
licensed (registered if over 20
tons) with Canada Customs and a
change of ownership must be
recorded at the Customs House
where the vessel is licensed.

The licence number is issued
free of charge and must be dis-
played on the boat in block char-
acters that are at least 7.5 cm
high.

If the boat is equipped with a
VHF radio, it too must have a
licence, issued by the Department
of. Communications, which must
‘be renewed yearly.

- The radio operator's certificate

(Radio Operator’s Restricted
Certificate - Maritime) is valid for
the. lifetime of the hoider.

_ Por. further information contact
Communications Canada, 800
Burrard, Vancouver. Tel: 666-
5468...

A free Radio Handbook is
available from the Canadian Coast
Guard that gives basic operating
instructions, as well as distress
and urgency procedures.

As a further safely precaution
it is advisable to equip your radio
with its own power supply rather
thin relying on the
boat's main battery.

Coast guard regula-
tions also specify the
minimum = required
safety equipment
aboard every pleasure
craft, according to
length.

Vessels up to 5.5m
in length

Mi One approved life-

jackel, personal flota-

tion device (PFD) or
lifesaving cushion for

each person on board.

@ Two oars with rowlocks or two
paddles.

B One hand-held bailer or one
manual pump.

@ One Class B-1 fire extinguisher
for inboard motors or fixed fuet
tank or heating or cooking appli-
ance that burns liquid or gaseous
fuel.

& A light that must comply with
collision regulations if permanent-
ly fitted.

1B A sound signalling device.

Vessels more than 5.5 m
and up te § m in length

@ All of the items above. .
An approved lifesaving cushion
or a buoyant heaving line or life

“Stay afloat while

A-HIT song from the disco era told
listeners: “Don’t rock the boat
baby, don’t tip the boat over.”

Rock the Boat was actually at
the top of the charts 20 years ago
this summer, and it’s still sound
advice for the season.

To ve safe on the waters, con-
sider these better boating tips:

@ Waiter and alcoho! don’t mix.
Drinking while you operate a boat
is just as dangerous, and just as
illegal, as drinking and driving.

@ {f you can’t swim you wouldn't
jump in the middle of a lake. So
why get into a boat?

All passengers should be able to
swim, and even then have their
own life jacket or personal flota-
tion device (PFD).

Remember, they work better on
your back than as a cushion, In
80% of accidental boating deaths,
the victim wasn't wearing a life
jacket or PFD.

@ To avoid feeling “under the
weather,” check the forecasts.

If they predict rain or high
winds, you might decide to stay on
dry land. If you're already out on
water, watch for lightning or sud-
denly choppy water — its a sign
to head in.

Why be.like Columbus explor-
ing unchartered waters?

Ask the local boaters about the
water, and always tell someone
where you're going and when
you'll be back. If you're later than
expected, people can begin looking
for you as soon as possible.
Driving a car doesn’t quatify
you to fly a plane or operate a
boat.

Before heading onto the water
learn all you can about your craft
and the rules of boating. Contact a

local boating, canoeing or yachting
association, the Red Cross or the
Canadian Coast Guard for infor-
mation.

&-To keep your boat afloat, dis-
tribute the weight evenly and don’t
overload it.

Remember that warning about
rocking the boat -—- never stand up
in a canoe or row boat.

@ If your boat does overturn, stay
with it no matter how good a
swimmer you are,

It is far easier for rescuers to
spot a boat than a bobbing head. If
you can, especially if the water is

buoy 508, 610, or 762 mm in
diameter.

® Six approved distress (Mares, of
which only three may be D types.

@ As an alternative to the oars,
one anchor with 15 m of chain,
cable or rope.

A manual pump suooks far more
elegant than u cut-out bleach bot-
tle. but the plastic bailer will shift
a lot of water quickly,

Dve markers and a distress flag
(a black ball over a square on an
orange background will suffice) in
addition to flares make sense.

66 A prudent captain
will take steps
beyond those suggested. 99

The regulations become more
elaborate as boat size increases
but not many first-time skippers
will be cruising in anything longer
than 8 m.

ft should be stressed that these
are the minimum standards and
that a prudent captain will take
steps beyond those suggested.

PFDs that can be worn in com-
fort at ail times by everyone on
board in addition to the bulkier,
keyhole-style lifejackets would
make a lot of sense.

in the event of having to aban-
don ship the standard lifejackets
provide more buoyancy as well as

the ability to turn the wearer face -

* upwards.
If the PFDs are floater jackets,
greater protection
hypothermia is provided.

you boat
cold, climb atop the overturned
boat.
M The absence of stoplights
doesn’t mean the water is a speed-
way, ‘

Ease up on the throttle and
don’t install a motor that’s too
large for the boat. You could make
the boat unstable and cause it to
flip on a turn.
® Take aboard emergency sup-
plies, such as a flashlight, oars or
paddles, a whistle or flares, a bail-
ing device and a first-aid kit. After
all, there are no repair shops or
hospitals out on the water!

enn Gen a Ee aot ee Ge oe
Valid anytitne Monday - friday "y
or before 7am on weckends.
Mialmum 4 hour boat rental,
Holidays excluded.

SEWELL’S MARINAS

é Horseshoe Bay

West Vancouver We

RESERVE NOW 921-FISH (3474)

against |

An aachor (of appropriate size)
should be standard on all boats
with 15 m of chain and at least 60
m of rope if cruising coastal seas
rather than lakes.

And a second motor will be a

lot safer in tidal conditions than
paddles.

A first-aid kit that includes
sea-sickness pills and sunscreen
could be used in the family car
when not on the boat.

If you are destination cruising
the appropriate and current charts
as well as basic navigational
equipment become part of the
cruise, but at this point some
training and experience would be
dictating these choices, Right?

All emergency equipment
requires maintenance and testing.

Generally it is a’mistake to
leave it on the boat where mois-
ture can wreak havoc with flares
and air-herns.

Dry chemical extinguishers
tend to cake and require periodic
shaking. Store them where there is
the least constant engine vibra-
tion.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers
should be weighed annually and
recharged if they contain less than
90% of rated capacity.

Aad, of course, the main motor
has been regularly serviced,
hasn't it?

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