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Cobalt Boats
Serene views are just part of the experiences when boating after the sun sets below the horizon.
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Cobalt Boats
Serene views are just part of the experiences when boating after the sun sets below the horizon.
Words by Clark Berry
CPS Okanagan Squadron Education Officer
It’s not uncommon for a day on Okanagan Lake to extend into the evening well after night falls. Accidents on the water can potentially happen anytime but when it comes to boating at night, be extra cautious by using proper navigation, adhering to the boating regulations, and practising the utmost safety.
First and foremost, you must always ensure your boat is equipped with the required safety gear as regulated by Transport Canada. This includes the necessary navigation lights and a sound-emitting device. You not only need to be seen, you also need to be heard. In fact, Transport Canada states that all boats under 12m (39.4 ft) without a sound emitting devoice must be equipped with a pealess whistle, compressed gas horn, or electric horn.
Most recreational boats come equipped with these two items, but for smaller craft such as aluminum fishing boats, be sure to install aftermarket lighting and an airhorn – especially if you fish in the evenings or during early morning hours. Also, ensure everyone on board wears proper fitting PFDs. Young children, especially, should always have one on.
Carole Sue Conran
Boating at night also allows you to admire spectacular events from the water.
Always Stay Alert
Unless you experience thick fog, wide-open views on the water are not usually an issue during daylight hours. Of course, it’s much different at night.
Wakes of other boats, rough water conditions, and under water obstructions such as rocks can be hit at less than a moment’s notice. Maintaining safe speeds for the appropriate conditions and even having another person onboard to act as a lookout is ideal. It’s best to be slow and cautious to ensure you make it back to port with no accidents or injuries.
More importantly, you and your lookout should be scanning the water ahead for other powerboats, sailboats, even canoes, kayaks, and paddle boarders. Believe it or not, people enjoy these watersports at night with no lighting whatsoever and paddle boarders, in fact, are becoming an increasing safety issue during this time. Sooner or later one of the many boats that roar up and down Lake Okanagan at 100-plus km/h in the middle of the night is going to hit something. So, whether you’re cruising, fishing, or enjoying watersports at night make sure you’re visible to oncoming boat traffic, both near and afar.
Destination BC Andrew Strain
You must always ensure your boat is equipped with the required safety gear including navigation lights and a sound emitting device.
Visibility at Night
Although many boaters may not realize this, but cockpit and instrument lights on your own boat can be a distraction. If your instrument lights are red, which don’t hinder vision at night, you’re fine, but if they are any other colour when illuminated turn them down if possible. All cockpit lights should also be turned off while underway.
If you’re new to the area or new to boating, become familiar with the lakes of the Okanagan. Boating at night in an unfamiliar region can present a whole series of potential problems. For example, the bowl area in front of downtown Kelowna in the summer is considered a high-risk area even at night. Boat traffic is commonly heavy, and many boats are being skippered by individuals with little or no boating experience. Add in the party factor and you need to be ready to react to the unexpected. The best advice is to transit this area at a speed of a little more than idle (or in a timely fashion) to avoid any type of collisions.
tourismkelowna.com Al Cotton
A bright, moonlit night provides excellent visibility and is an awesome sight to enjoy.
Navigation
Boating at night also requires seamanship and navigation skills. If you’re using a chart plotter be prudent with its usage to avoid impairment of your night vision. While a chart plotter is a great tool for night navigation, it must be used properly. Like many electronic devices, one of the greatest weaknesses of a GPS is looking at the screen too often. So, it’s imperative to have a dedicated lookout as well.
If you’re planning on doing a lot of cruising at night this season, consider purchasing a Canadian Hydrographic Chart of Okanagan Lake. It may be a little out of date of current mooring buoys and waterfront development, but it’s a great resource to resort to when navigating the lake.
Okanagan Lake has about 30 navigation aids, yet most of them date back to the days of heavy steamboat and barge traffic. Remember, the lake flows north to south. So, when you’re heading north the green lights mark the port side shoreline and the red lights mark the starboard shoreline. One caution is the starboard light on Grant Island, which is located approximately half way between Vernon and Kelowna on the east side of the lake. Whatever you do, don’t attempt passage between Grant Island and the east shore as there’s a very shallow reef running to the island.
Boating at night offers unique, serene experiences during the right atmospheric conditions. For best results, set a course to a more remote area away from a busy area or the ambient lights of the city. A bright moonlit night provides excellent visibility or a star-filled sky that’s framed with the valley is another awesome sight to enjoy.
If you are interested in boating at night but concerned you lack the knowledge or experience, consider taking a navigation and steamship course. The Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons offer these courses through www.boatingcourses.ca
Perry Mack
Beacons on Okanagan Lake
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