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RCMP Marine Patrol Units
Patrolling Okanagan Lake
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Play safe on the water this season
Mooring is enjoyable for all boaters. Be sure to be courteous and keep noise to respectable levels.
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RCMP Marine Patrol Units
West Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon are just some of the areas where the RCMP will be patrolling.
By Steve Fennell, SunCruiser Boating
As the boating season is well underway, now is the time – if you haven’t already – to think about boating safety, as well as updating mandatory boating gear, and practising common sense on the water as the RCMP Marine Patrol Unit is once again enforcing boating safety laws on Okanagan Lake.
With marine patrol units monitoring Okanagan Lake throughout Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton, it’s best to be prepared and knowledgeable about boating safety laws to not only avoid a fine but to be safe as possible for you and everyone onboard.
“This is a very positive effort,” says Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, Media Relations Officer for the RCMP South East District. “There’s a dedicated team of reserve constables that run the patrol program on a regular basis and it’s bolstered with over-time resources in West Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon. We simply reinforce and remind people of the Canadian boating safety laws.”
According Moskaluk, one of the key efforts are random spot checks, devised to ensure you have the mandatory safety equipment, possess a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, are not exceeding load capacity, and if there are certain offences involving alcohol. Random spot checks also extend to public boat launches and if you’re anchored, enjoying the day with family or friends, the Marine Patrol Unit can approach your vessel and do a random safety check right then and there.
Alcohol and Boating
While its always enjoyable to relax with a cold one while mooring, according to Transport Canada alcohol can only be consumed on a pleasure craft if it has permanent sleeping facilities, permanent cooking facilities, a permanent toilet and is anchored (or secured alongside a dock). Operating while impaired is an offence under the criminal code and if you’re caught driving while under the influence you will be charged.
"Public awareness regarding the dangers of mixing alcohol and operating a vessel (boat) is a lot better than what it used to be," says Moskaluk. “While there’s a lot of responsibility from the majority of boaters, there’s always a small percentage who ignore this law. It’s not all that uncommon to enter into an impaired situation during spot checks.”
What You Can Do
Regulations such as giving right-of-way to non-motorized pleasure craft, being courteous to no-wake zones, and not operating your boat recklessly (or dangerously) are all standard procedures and are exactly what the Marine Patrol Unit monitors. Other common issues boaters need to avoid is creating excess noise – either by partying with onboard friends and loud music or running with open exhaust systems on performance boats.
“What has really helped with boating safety among boaters is the inception of the Transport Canada-accredited course providers for the Pleasure Craft Operator Card,” explains Moskaluk. “It’s a really good foundation course and the more you become educated, the more enjoyment you’re going to have on the water.”
For up to date boating safety information visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-menu-1362.htm. You may also want to visit Discoverboating.ca (where you can also download the new Discover Boating Safety app) or for information on the Pleasure Craft Operator Card visit https://www.boatsmartexam.com/ca/
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