Marine Information for Travellers

Water Safety is no accident.

Each year, about 200 people die in accidents navigation across Canada.

There are some things you should know to help ensure your safety and prevent accidents.

* Wear your life jacket. Approximately 90 percent of all drowning victims boating incidents was not wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device. There should be a life jacket or personal flotation device for each person on board. They must be approved by Canada and a suitable size for each person.
* Do not drink and drive. At least 40 percent of all fatal accidents power boat victims had a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit to drive. Driving a boat while impaired is an offence under the Criminal Code. You could be fined $ 600 or more, prohibited from driving a boat for up to three years in prison, perhaps for life, not to mention serious injury or death.
* Keep fire extinguishers in the most sensitive areas on your ship as the kitchen or the engine room. Make sure your crew knows where fire extinguishers are located.

Boat trips

If you take a boat, here are a few points to consider:

* Commercial boat operators are required to provide safety briefings to passengers. Make sure your carrier does this so that you know where the life jackets are and what they should do in an emergency.
* E-boat operator in advance how many children are in your group.
* Ensure the correct number and sizes of life jackets are available when you board.
* Ask boat operators if they have a valid certificate of inspection by Transport Canada. You can also look for a sticker is placed on small passenger vessels in the coming months as part of a new campaign to help passengers to identify ships that have received a valid inspection certificate.

Safety equipment

The safety devices are required by law:

* Sound-devices or warning devices are required on all pleasure craft. These can range from a pealess whistle, a compressed gas or electric horn electric bells and whistles.
* Most small pleasure craft are also required to have a flashlight or waterproof torches. If your boat is in distress, which could be the only way to call for help.
* Lifebuoys are required by law for recreational vessels of more than eight metres long. When you buy a lifeline, looking for approval from Transport Canada sticker. Store the lifeline so that it is readily accessible in case someone falls overboard.

Other useful items include:

* Clothing spare in a bag waterproof, in case the weather changes or you get wet.
* Drinking water and high-energy snacks.
* First Aid Kit, stored in a dry place. Remember to replace outdated content and used regularly.
* Tool Kit for any need minor repairs while on the water. It is also a good idea to have the owner's manual with you.

Proof of competence

All operators of pleasure boats motor under four metres in length must have a proof of competence on board at all times. In addition, all operators of pleasure boats born after April 1, 1983 must have proof of competence, regardless of the size of vessels.

There are three ways you can show proof of competence:

* Prove that you have successfully completed a boating safety course before April 1, 1999;
* Get pleasure craft operator card, or
* Fill a boat rental-safety checklist, which may be obtained from the official rental boats. This safety checklist is valid only for the period during which the boat is rented.

Age Restriction

There are some age restrictions for power boats. For example, children under the age of 12 can operate a boat with more than 10 hp (power) without supervision. For example, children between 12 and 16 years old can operate a boat with more than 40 hp unsupervised.