Notice Board
The
Marine Environment - A Shared Responsibility
November 2008
Every recreational boater has a vested interest in preserving both the
safety and the beauty of the waterways that are our playgrounds, not to
mention a responsibility to do so for the inhabitants and other users
of those waters, both present and future. Every vessel has an environmental
impact-it is up to skippers and crews to make certain that the environmental
impact is minimal, and that the environment does not suffer from boaters'
enjoyment of their local waters.
Environmental issues related to boating
activity fall into five main categories:
• The handling of fuels, Lubricants, and coolants
• Discharge of sewage or noxious grey water
• Boat maintenance
• Protection of in-shore habitats
• Applicable marine laws
What can you do to minimize
the environmental impact of your vessel?
Read The
Marine Environment - A Shared Responsibility a document that has been
prepared by the Squadron Environment Officers of Pacific Mainland District,
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons to be used as a tool to educate students,
members and others in their responsibilities to the environment in which
their boats are operated. It has been developed from other documents within
CPS with relevant information added for boaters in British Columbia and
contains detailed information on how to preservie both the safety and
the beauty of the waterways from the above environmental issues listed
above..
Cospas-Sarsat Program Update
August 2007
The International Cospas-Sarsat Program
will terminate satellite processing of distress signals from 121.5 and
243 MHz emergency beacons on February 1, 2009.
After this date, mariners, aviators and other persons will have to switch
to emergency beacons operating at 406 MHz in order to be detected by satellites.
To prepare beacon users for the end of 121.5 MHz frequency processing
by satellites, the FCC in the United States has prohibited the use of
121.5 MHz EPIRBs as of January 1, 2007.
The implication of this Cospas-Sarsat decision is that users of beacons
that send distress alerts on 121.5 and 243 MHz should switch to beacons
operating on 406 MHz if they want the alerts to be detected and relayed
by satellites. Meanwhile, anyone planning to buy a new distress beacon
needs to be aware and take the Cospas-Sarsat decision into account.
VHF Marine Frequencies Update
March 2007
Please review the new updated list received as of March 22, 2007.
VHF
Marine Frequencies
Fines for BC Boaters in 2005
February 21, 2005
New for BC Boaters in 2005 is a change away from the enforcement of minor
infractions always requiring a court appearance before a judge. The BC
government will now use the options provided to them under the Federal
Government’s Contraventions Act. Simply stated, this means enforcing
officers (RCMP and Fisheries) now have the option of issuing a ticket
for non-compliance. Fines may be issued to operator, owner and/or person
authorizing the vessel’s use. Major infractions
such as operating a vessel while impaired will still be dealt with as
indictable offenses under the Criminal Code of Canada. These fines also
apply to non-motorized watercraft such as rowboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats,
etc.
There are no new requirements. All that has changed is the
system of enforcement.
Boaters should not be unduly concerned about the change in enforcement.
There has been no additional funding for on-water enforcement and most
knowledgeable boaters are already in full compliance as a result of past
“courtesy checks” by Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. Still,
the prudent boater will want to check the requirements for his vessel
as outlined in the free booklet Safe Boating Guide from Fisheries and
Oceans, Canada. Courtesy checks will still be available from CCG Aux.
Call Transport Canada for answers to other questions.
Some of the penalties are:
| |
* Vessel operator cannot show his Pleasure Craft Operator’s
card |
|
$250 |
| |
Underage operator, including PWC operators under 16 |
|
$250 |
| |
Failure to have on board proof of age of operator |
|
$250 |
| |
Failure of non-residents to have on board proof of residency |
|
$250 |
| |
Insufficient PFDs, /Lifejackets |
|
$200 |
| |
Insufficient fire extinguishers |
|
$200 |
| |
Careless operation of a vessel |
|
$200 |
| |
Removing, tampering with hull ID or capacity plates, etc. |
|
$200 |
| |
Placing unauthorized sign restricting boating |
|
$150 |
| |
Mooring to authorized signs, altering, defacing, removing |
|
$150 |
| |
Failure to remove unauthorized sign |
|
$150 |
| |
Failure to maintain an authorized sign |
|
$150 |
| |
Operating in contravention of an authorized sign; speeding |
|
$100 |
| |
Operate vessel without required equipment in working order |
|
$100 |
| |
Operate vessel not meeting prescribed safety standards |
|
$100 |
| |
Operate without prescribed equipment bearing official stamp, or
label. |
|
$100 |
| |
All refueling infractions, inside or outside vessel … each
|
|
$100 |
| |
No rigid International flag code “A” on vessel when
diving. |
|
$100 |
| |
Failure to comply with a Peace Officer |
|
$100 |
| |
Licensing of vessel: failure to produce license papers; no hull
ID# |
|
$100 |
| |
No noise abatement device within 5 miles of shore |
|
$100 |
| |
All towing of people infractions: (spotter, seat, after dark) |
|
$100 |
| |
Failure to exhibit proper lights at night or in limited visibility |
|
$100 |
| |
** Speeding over 10 km/hr within 30m of shore (in BC on nontidal
waters) |
|
$100 |
| |
Failure to have on board as prescribed for your vessel:— 15m
heaving line, manual propelling device, bailer; flares, watertight
flashlight; sound signaling device; anchor& rode |
|
$100 each infraction |
* PCOC needed now for vessel operators born after Apr. 1, 1983; and for
operators of all powered boats 4m & under (about 13’4”)
includes PWCs & most dinghies. Operators of powered vessels over 4m
have until 2009 to get the PCOC (includes canoes over 4m that have small
electric or gas motors.)
* * This speed limit is not posted. It came into effect two years ago
and applies to all non-tidal water in BC. Exemptions apply to some very
narrow fast rivers. Water skiers may start near shore, but the boat must
go straight out at 90° to shore, not speed over 10km/hr closer to
any shore than 30m (100’) including when dropping skier off. The
speed limit is 5 knots or 6 mph or 10 km/hr (these are rough equivalents).
Note: This is the speed limit for BC lakes and rivers unless there is
a different speed limit actually posted.
|
