This was going to be the winter that I try ice fishing. The weather, however, did not co-operate and none of the lakes I had hoped to fish did not freeze over enough for me to venture out onto the ice. Common sense dictated that I not risk going through.
Oh well, there’s always next year.
On a more positive note though, it won’t be long before the ice is off the lakes and it will be the start of a new fishing season.
People will also be heading out on the waters to enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, and any number of other water sports and activities. Each year there seems to be more and more people out there on our lakes and rivers. As a consequence, there is also an ever-increasing need for common sense, as well as a certain amount of control over such activities in order to ensure the safety of everyone participating. In Canada, there are, on average, some 6,000 boating accidents involving more than 150 fatalities and many more injuries.
In 1999 the federal government introduced the Pleasure Craft Operator Card. It was intended as a means to both educate people about the regulations regarding the safe operation of watercraft, as well as an attempt to regulate the use of personal watercraft. Federal government regulations now require all operators of watercraft under four metres in length, including personal water craft, to have a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
There are a number of organizations and private companies in the province that offer Coast Guard accredited courses which will enable a person to attain their Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Boaters also have the option of writing the exam without having taken an accredited course. A mark of 75 per cent is needed to pass the 36-question exam. To pass the exam, all that is really required is reading the material and some common sense.
It would seem to me that it would be in person’s best interest to know the rules and regulations in order to ensure their own safety – never mind the safety of family members and others.
Under the federal government regulations, a person operating a boat or pleasure craft is also responsible for equipping their boat with mandatory safety equipment for operating the boat safely and for ensuring the safety of those on board. Operators and/or owners of boats and pleasure craft that do not comply with these new and amended regulations can be subject to penalties and fines.
I don’t think it’s really too much to ask that people operating watercraft out on a lake would not only have the knowledge of how to properly operate their watercraft, but would also know the regulations in place that govern the manner in which they operate. After all, a person requires a driver’s licence to operate a motor vehicle on public roads and there are regulations in place to govern the speed and manner in which they do so. It is only common sense that there be similar requirements for someone operating a watercraft.
Common sense dictates that one not venture out on thin ice. Common sense should also dictate that one not venture out on open waters with more people moving about in powerful watercraft. Canoers, kayakers, boaters and operators of personal watercraft have every bit as much right to enjoy themselves on the water as the next person. A valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card, common sense and a little courtesy will also go a long way to ensure the safety of everyone on the water.
Wouldn’t it be nice if this coming season’s boating accident statistics were significantly reduced.
