Boating Trip Plans

Trip Plans

Another useful safety measure is filing a trip plan. Before heading out, the operator of a pleasure craft should complete a thorough trip plan and file it with a responsible person who is familiar with the instructions to follow in case of emergency. During the trip, the plan should be updated to avoid an unnecessary call for help should you decide to deviate from your original plan. Filing a trip plan will assist rescuers when it is necessary to initiate a call for search and rescue in case of emergency.

The trip plan should contain the following information:

• name and registration number of craft
• type of craft .. sailing or power driven
• name, address and phone # of owner
• number of persons on board
• size, type and colour of craft
• engine type (inboard, outboard)
• distinguishing features of craft
• type of radiotelephone and channel monitored
• safety equipment on board
• emergency instructions
• trip description: departure time, return time, and proposed route

Pre-departure Checklist

Another helpful tip is to make and fill-out a checklist of all required equipment and supplies prior to leaving the dock. This will help to avoid situations which could lead to unnecessary emergencies, (such as running out of fuel, dehydration, hypothermia etc).

Emergency Kit

An emergency kit is an item that is often overlooked when equipping a pleasure craft. These items could be kept in a plastic bag or a sealable watertight plastic container of sufficient size.

This kit should include:

• a flashlight
• a whistle
• a knife
• a first aid kit
• emergency rations
• drinking water
• dry clothing.

Boating Collision Regulations

Collision Regulations

• These are International regulations to prevent collisions at sea and the Canadian modifications. They apply to the high seas and in all waters connected to the high seas that are considered to be navigable. They define common terms (i.e. Port, starboard, stern, bow, draft etc..)
• They state that .. “the operator of pleasure power driven craft shall take early and substantial action to keep well clear of a vessel engaged in fishing, or a sailing vessel.
• They state that .. “the operator of a pleasure sailing craft shall take early and substantial action to keep well clear of a vessel engaged in fishing.
• They set common rules for power driven vessels, sailing vessels, fishing vessels, etc...The rules are designed so that all operators know what is required of them and to give them knowledge of what the approaching vessel is going to do.
• These regulations require that you keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing to prevent accidents
• They require that you use all available means to avoid accidents .. adjust speed, keep well clear, exhibit vigilance while operating craft etc..
• They state that the following factors must be taken into account when determining a safe speed:
  
  
  • the state of visibility
  • the traffic density including concentrations of fishing or other vessels
  • state of the wind
  • sea and current
  • proximity to navigational hazards
• They specify that boats less than 20 metres shall not impede the passage of a large craft in a narrow channel .. regardless of who has the defined right of way
• Collision regulations define who has the right of way when motor boat meets motor boat .. when motor boat meets sailboat .. when sailboat meets sailboat .. when sail or motor boat meets fishing boat etc..
• Collision Regulations require the boat with the right of way to maintain their course and speed
• They require the operator of the craft to adjust their speed according to visibility, traffic density, wind and state of the water and proximity to navigational hazards.
• They make boaters responsible for your own wake or wash. If your wake causes a canoe or rowboat to capsize .. you are responsible .. be aware of where you are .. watch for swimmers!
• Collision Regulations require that you stay clear of a boat showing Code of Signals “A” – which indicates that they have a “diver down”. You are legally required to slow down and steer clear.
• They explain required sound and light signals. (I.e. sound one long sound immediately followed by one short when visibility is reduced)
• They define distress signals so all boaters recognize them
• They cover other required equipment which is pertinent to specific sizes of vessels (i.e. passive radar reflectors etc.)

As a pleasure craft operator, you must be aware of the differing factors that can affect you and your passengers.  Some of these factors are:

Action	Effect
Motion of the pleasure craft	Dizziness and nausea
Sunlight	eyesight, dehydration, sunburn or sunstroke
Waves	balance, dizziness and nausea
Wind	dehydration, hypothermia, balance
Sound	enginenoise and natural water noise reduce hearing acuity
Alcohol	dizziness, nausea, poor judgement

As a responsible pleasure craft operator, it is important to remember that we share the waterways with many different and varied activities.  You must be aware of:

• swimmers and properties
• adjust the speed of your craft so that the draw-off and wave disturbance generated by the passage of your craft does not cause injury to persons, erosion of the shoreline or damage to others properties
• know and obey Collision Regulations
• use courtesy and common sense so as not to create a hazard, a threat, a stress or an irritant to themselves, to others, to the environment or to wildlife.

One of the most important thing that a boater should do before heading out in their pleasure craft is to check the weather forecast.  This can be done quite accurately and effectively by using the following sources:

• personal observations...(does it look like rain?)
• newspapers
• radio
• television weather channel
• radiotelephones
• Environment Canada

Weather forecasts in Canada are described using the following terms which describe anticipated wind conditions:

Term	Description
Light Winds	wind speeds less than 12 knots
Moderate Winds	wind speeds in the range of 12 to 19 knots
Strong Winds	sustained wind speeds int he range of 20 to 33 knots
Small Craft Warning	sustained wind speeds in the range of 20 to 33 knots
Gale Warning	sustained wind speeds in the range of 34 to 47 knots
Storm Warning	sustained wind speeds in the range of 48 to 63 knots
Hurricane Warning	sustained wing speeds in the range of 64 knots or more

It is extremely important for all operators to check the weather forecast prior to departure to avoid putting the craft and persons on board at risk.

There are also numerous potential local hazards that should be considered before departure as well. Some of these could include:

• low-head dams
• rapids
• sudden winds
• tides
• currents
• white water
• overhead cables
• underwater cables
• bridges
• rapid build up of high wave conditions

Ensure that you are equipped with the most recent Nautical Chart for the areas in which you will be operating your craft.

Get trained on Boating Safety

In 1997, power boating surpassed swimming as the specific recreational activity accounting for the most water-related deaths. Deaths from pleasure power boating rebounded to 73 fatalities, up from 59 in the previous year.  These statistics do not reflect the number of life altering injuries and the high dollar loss values incurred as a result of powerboat accidents.  Young males between 18 and 24 years continue to have the highest preventable water-related death rate of all age groups.  In the majority of all powerboat accident related drownings, the lack of use of personal floatation devices (P.F.D’s), was cited as a causal factor.

Statistics from 1996, which are based on an estimated total of approximately 50,000 personal watercraft, reflects an alarming rate of 15 deaths per 100,000 watercraft.  Risk-taking behaviour was cited as the most common singular factor in PWC fatalities.

The increase in use and popularity of PWC’s indicated an imminent need for strengthened boat operator training and regulations.

Your attention to this post shows that you want to be part of the solution. This course will provide you with an easy to follow “common sense” approach to power boating.. Plus all preparatory tools to enjoy power boating safely!

Do You Know how to Boat Smartly?

Know the safe boating "Rules of the Road"

• No children under 12 years of age can operate a powerboat with more than a 10 hp motor.
• Youths 12 to 15 years of age may only operate a boat with a motor over 40 hp if accompanied and directly supervised by someone 16 years of age or older.
• Minimum age for operating a personal watercraft (sea-doo, jetski) is 16 years of age.
• New small vessel safety equipment and safety precaution requirements for boaters include a new “careless operation of a vessel” offence which requires boaters to travel safely and avoid putting themselves and others at risk.
• Operators of powerboats must have proof of operator competency.
  • As of September 1999, this applies to any person born after April1, 1983.
  • As of September 2002, this applies to any person operating a powerboat less than 4 meters, including personal watercraft (PWC).
  • As of September 2009, this applies to all operators of all powerboats and PWC’s

Get trained on Boating Safety.

Get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card! It's the Law!

Know before you go
Avoid danger by taking a few minutes to check

• Weather forecast
• Local hazards
• maps and charts
• PFD’s
• first aid kit, tool kit, tools and spare parts
• sufficient fuel
• safety equipment in working order
• does someone know where you are going and when to expect you back

Wear your life jacket!

Less than 5% of all drowning victims were wearing a life jacket or PFD (personal floatation device).  Less than half of the people who wear a PFD, wear it properly.

Wear the right gear

Good sunglasses, appropriate clothing, and the necessary paddles, whistles and flares are the right gear too.

Boat Sober!

Don’t drink and drive in your boat.  Alcohol is involved in 36% of all preventable water-related fatalities and over half of all power boating accidents.

Drive your powerboat or PWC responsibly

Look before you act, stay low, drive at moderate speed and be aware of changing weather conditions and time of day.

Learn to swim

Never dive into shallow water

Don’t go in the water alone

Always swim with a buddy.

Always supervise young children near water

Play and swim in supervised areas only