You have seen this or variations on the headline in every boating magazine on the bookshelf. Having been sailing in international waters for many years now my first reaction tended to be somewhat negative. For 15 years now I have considered my vessel my home and that I was certanally the captain of my own fate.
Equally there has been many a quiet evening at anchor that has been disrupted as a personal water craft flew between the narrow space of anchored boats, growling quietly as we rocked in the wake issuing the appropriate crazy kid they are going to get killed comments. Then I began to look at the statistics and follow the news stories and it became apparent that the world had changed.
Now the first fact I would like to point out to the experience yachtsman is that much of what you read is abridged for publication and that the true meaning and implementation of the act contains a practical solution for us older folks while addressing the pressing issues.
I would like to spend a moment here to further investigate the act and its provisions. For the purpose of this article it is important that some of the original wording be quoted in its original form as this is fact not an abridged reading.
The goals of these regulations are stated as:
- Improve the existing mandatory small vessel licensing system from an antiquated paper process to one using modern computer information management and delivery systems.
- Introduce new boating safety programs and operator proficiency requirements.
- Including age restrictions and mandatory basic boating safety proficiency or training for all pleasure craft operators.
- To Increase waterways policing and the enforcement of existing safety regulations.
(perhaps the most important)
- Increase emergency boater assistance and use of volunteer organizations.
In very close to the original wording:
- No person or owner, master, operator, rental agent in charge of a pleasure yacht that is powered by a motor power greater than 10 hp (7.5 kW) shall allow a person who is under 12 years of age to operate such a vessel within Canadian waters.
- No person over 12 years of age but under 16 years of age may operate, a pleasure yacht propelled by a engine of greater than 40hp (30 kW) within Canadian waters.
- No person over 12 years of age, but under 16 years of age shall operate a personal watercraft within Canadian waters.
- Now there is an exception to allow the training of young mariners:
- The owner, master, operator, charterer, rental agent or person in charge of a pleasure vessel propelled by a motor may allow a person who is under 12 years of age to operate such vessel t in the waters of Canada. Providing that e person is accompanied and directly supervised by another person who is 16 years of age or older and possesses a competency certificate.
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- When are the regulations Come into effect ? Again no need to panic, there will be many opportunities for experienced boated to take a challenge exam and these regulations will be phased in over the next 10 years. That implementation schedule is as follows.
- As of April 1, 1999, any person under the age of 12 may not operate a recreational boat of more than 10 horsepower unless accompanied by a person 16 years of age and who holds a competency certificate.
- As of April 1, 1999, any person 12 years of age but under 16 years of age may not operate a recreational boat of more than 40 horsepower unless accompanied by a person 16 years of age and who holds a competency certificate.
- Beginning September 15, 1999 all persons under the age of 16 (on April 1, 1999)
who born after April 1, 1983 to operates any recreational vessel without a operator competency certificate.
- As of September 15, 2002 all persons operating recreational vessels of less that 4 meters in length including personal water craft, must have a operator competency certificate.
- Small Vessel Regulations will be revised in incremental stages over the next 10 years as well. these regulations will cover safety equipment, procedure, and regulations. Many of these revisions will target the ability of enforcement agencies to ticket "careless operation" placing us all at risk.
- Canadianet Cruising is currently in the process of having our competency training course reviewed by the Coast Guard and hope to be able to offer you this in the very near future. It is our intention to also offer advanced courses in other marine subjects in the coming years.
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