Boating season has arrived and the Kelowna Mounties are issuing a reminder to boaters to drive responsibly and stay safe on the water.
Before heading onto the lake, it’s required that equipment is available and in good working order.
Most, if not all, boating collisions can be avoided. Some of the most common causes of boating collisions are:
Careless / Reckless Operation – a person operating a vessel in a negligent or grossly negligent manner and/or interfering with the safe operation of a vessel, so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of a person
Excessive Speed – speed above that which a reasonable and prudent person would have operated under the circumstances that existed. It is not necessarily a speed in excess of the posted limit
Lack of or Improper Boat Lights – insufficient and/or improper lights shown by a boat that indicate course, position, and occupation, such as fishing or towing. No red, green, or white light. Navigation lights hidden/covered
Spot lights and/or docking lights used by a boat operator that interfere with the visibility of the operator of another boat – Docking lights used as “headlights” while navigating at night, very common occurrence on Okanagan Lakes
No Proper Lookout – The failure of the operator to perceive danger because no one was serving as lookout or the person so serving failed in that regard
Operator Inattention – failure on the part of the operator to pay attention to the vessel, its occupants, or the environment in which the vessel is operating
Operator Inexperience – lack of practical experience or knowledge in operating the boat involved in the accident
Rules of the Road Infraction – Violation of the statutory or regulatory rules governing the navigation of vessels
- Wake Jumping
- Equipment Failure
- Auxiliary equipment failure
- Communications equipment failure
- Fire extinguisher not serviceable
- Sail dismasted
- Seat broke loose
- Sound producing equipment failed
- Visual distress signals failed
- Machinery Failure
- Electric system failure
- Engine failure
- Fuel system failure
- Shift failure
- Steering system failure
- Throttle failure
- Ventilation system failure – could result in death by carbon monoxide poisoning
