MARINE SAFETY TIPS

Boating can be a fun and enjoyable experience. However there are

certain precautions we need to take to ensure that we stay safe and

abide by the regulations that govern boaters.

Items Recommended To Bring Onboard:

Ø Spare clothing in a watertight bag (weather can change

dramatically in just a few hours and not having the proper

clothing for the conditions can lead to conditions that can be

serious threats to your health, such as heatstroke and

hypothermia;

Ø Drinking water and high-energy snacks (water is the most

important element here as lack of it can lead to fatigue and

dehydration in a fairly short time).

Ø You may need to make repairs while out on the water. Take

along a tool kit, spare parts (for example, fuses, bulbs, a spare

propeller, nuts and bolts, penetrating oil to free-up stuck

fasteners, duct tape, spark plugs), and tools and materials to

temporarily stop hull leaks.

Ø Now that you have the tools available, do you know what to do

with them? Take along the owner's manual and any other

guidebook you might need.

Ø When boating, you are likely to be some distance from medical

assistance and such assistance may be difficult to find when you

are in unfamiliar surroundings. Take a first aid kit along with

you. Store it in a dry place and replace used and outdated

contents regularly.

When Refueling:

Care should always be taken when refueling. The following precautions

should be taken prior to refueling:

Engine must be turned off

Turn off all electrical circuits

Douse open flames, including pilot lights

Close ports and deck hatches

Ensure that everyone is ashore before fuelling commences

Make sure the boat is securely tied to the dock

No smoking anywhere near the refueling area

Hold fuelling nozzle against filler fitting to prevent any sparks

Don’t overfill (i.e. stop before fuel jets from the breather)

After refueling, those with inboards should turn on their bilge blower

for at least five minutes before starting up. Gas fumes are heavier

than air and can easily build up. Starting the engine can cause an

explosion and fire. Finally, just to make sure, sniff the bilge to make

sure it is free of gas fumes before you start up your engine.

How To Stay Safe When Boating:

The number one way to stay safe while boating is to wear a PFD at all times. Keep

reading to learn more about other requirements and recommendations for staying

safe.

Know the water conditions before launching your watercraft and always check

local radio weather forecasts.

Don't overload your watercraft. Check your owner's manual for load capacity.

Ensure you have the proper safety equipment in your boat.

Ensure someone knows where and when you plan to travel and what to do if

you fail to return.

Become an accredited pleasure craft operator. Power boaters in Canada are

now required by law to carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC).

Each person in your watercraft must have a PFD (Personal Flotation Device)

that:

o Is the appropriate size (fit)

o Is worn at all times

o Is in good condition

A brightly colored PFD is a smart choice. Consider the need for visibility in the

water.

Look for the Transport Canada or the Canadian Coast Guard approval label or

hand tag.

Wear a whistle on your PFD. In case of emergency, you can call for help.

More than 4 out of 5 people who drown each year were

not wearing a PFD. Don't be one of them!

Booze and Boating ... What You Need to Know

Why is it that people who wouldn't dream of driving their car after

drinking often don't show that same good sense when it comes to

boating and alcohol? When the effects of alcohol are combined with

the effects of sun, fatigue, wind and motion, boaters can experience

reduced reaction time, decreased fine motor skills and impaired

judgement. In fact, more than 40% of recreational boating fatalities in

Canada are alcohol-related.

Alcohol and Boating: The Law

It is illegal to drink alcohol on a pleasure boat when

it is underway.

You may only have open alcohol aboard a boat

that is equipped as a residence (i.e. sleeping area, permanent

cooking facilities and a fixed toilet with pump out).

Drinking and driving rules apply whether you are on the road or

water.

Consuming liquor in other than a licensed premise, residence or

private place carries a substantial fine.

Operating or having care and control over a boat underway with

an open container of liquor carries a substantial fine.

Alcohol and Boating: The Facts

Alcohol has greater negative effects when people:

o Have a low body weight

o Are in poor health

o Are tired

o Have not eaten any food

o Are on medication

o Experience stress

o Are exposed to warmer air temperatures

Alcohol impairs your judgment, your balance and your

coordination.

Booze and Boating ... What You Need to Know Continued

Mildly dehydrated people will absorb alcohol more quickly into

their system and will have a higher blood alcohol concentration

(BAC) level than non-dehydrated people.

Boater Fatigue is a combination of sun, wind, noise, vibration

and boat motion that can TRIPLE the effects of alcohol on

boater.

Hypothermia... Water as warm as 27oC (80oF) can have

adverse effects on you if you are submerged for a long time.