From water skiing and tubing to cruising and angling, there is no shortage of boating recreation to be found at local lakes. However, alongside the fun there are safety regulations all boaters should consider before heading to the boat launch.
Lindsey Leko is the Senior Conservation Officer for the Weyburn compliance area. He explains that everyone operating a boat has a responsibility to protect other boaters and the aquatic environment.
Clean, Drain, Dry: Not a suggestion, a legal requirement
The phrase 'clean, drain, dry' is a familiar mandate requiring all vessels to be properly cleaned before transport. This prevents aquatic invasive species from entering our waterways, which Leko explains have a damaging effect on our ecosystem.
“Once it's here, it's very difficult to get rid of. Some of our most common ones are the zebra and the quagga mussels, but there's also stuff like the spiny water flea, and Eurasian watermilfoil. Those all hitchhike on watercraft trailers and stuff like that.”
This applies not only to those returning from out-of-province lakes but to anyone transporting a boat to any body of water, even if returning to the same lake. An uncleaned boat operating on a local lake could spread an infestation to nearby uncontaminated waters.
This is why boats must be cleaned, as Leko explains that looking over a vessel is not enough, as some of these species can be microscopic.
“When you're running your hand over a boat, a lot of times the infection almost feels like sandpaper. They're so small in that early stage. They're not like you see on commercials where you see the fully developed mussel or anything like that. We just want to make sure that if there's vectors that can come in on, whether it be mud or weeds, we get rid of them.”
The boat must then be drained by pulling the drain plug. This plug must remain out whenever the boat is in transport.
“If that plug is in the boat on a trailer and moving on shore anywhere, it is an offense and the penalty is $300. It's a pretty steep one. That's how important this is.
“Many people think they can just drain it and then put the plug back in since they're worried that they're going to forget to put it back in. Well, you know, that's something you've got to deal with on your own.”
From there, the boat should be completely dried. Leko says even parking it in the sun for a few days will help kill any invasive species that remained on board, as some can live outside of water for a long time.
The clean, drain, dry, standard also applies to watercraft like canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards as they can also carry invasive species.
Licensing: A matter of horsepower, not of age
In Canada, anyone can obtain a pleasure craft operating card regardless of age, as long as they understand the material to pass the Transport Canada exam. Where age comes into play is the horsepower of the engine.
Leko says that any person under the age of 12 without supervision can operate a pleasure craft only up to 10 horsepower. Those aged 12 to 16 without supervision can operate no higher than a 40 horsepower pleasure craft.
Leko outlines that direct supervision is a requirement whenever operating outside of these limits.
“We need somebody in the boat with them. So, if they're out on a little 14-foot Lund with a 7.5 horsepower and they're out on the water fishing, and mom and dad are on shore, but they're 100 meters away, that doesn't cut it. They've got to be in the boat with them.”
Anyone under the age of 16 cannot operate a personal watercraft, like a jet ski. Leko stresses that this is not permitted, even with adult supervision.
“We're talking about being in care and control, because what we see often is the parents will be on the back and there'll be a 10-year-old kid on the front steering it and mom and dad are just on the back. You wouldn't allow your child to drive a vehicle at that age. Well, maybe some do, but on the waterways, we don't want that at all.”
When it comes to transporting a boat on land, only a valid driver’s license is required, but the clean, drain, dry requirements are the driver’s responsibility.
The only legal way to consume alcohol on a boat: Don’t
While many people spend summer evenings or celebrations in a boat on the water, alcohol cannot be present at those events. Leko says impairment on boats is still something enforcement officers see regularly.
“Liquor in the boat is an absolute no. There's no legal way to consume alcohol in a boat, regardless of what anyone has told you. It doesn't matter if the driver is drinking or not drinking. There's just no drinking at all on the boat. Having, possessing, consuming, even having alcohol in the boat is punishable by a fine.”
Leko stresses that punishments for operating a boat under the influence are the same as operating a vehicle while impaired. Alcohol is only permitted on boats that are not in motion, secured, and equipped with a permanent sleeping area and kitchen.
“People with pontoon boats, for example, seem to think that as long as there's a barbecue and they've got a little pail that they can relieve themselves in and a cushion to sleep on, it is now a houseboat. And it is not a houseboat. It's got to be plumbed in, with eating and cooking facilities. The other part of it is the most important, it's got to be moored. It has to be a residence. And when it's underway, moving out on the water, it's not a residence.”
Leko emphasizes that a large percentage of deaths and accidents on our local waterways are a result of impairment. He says officers have been out in full force, patrolling for boaters possessing or consuming alcohol.
“There are kids out there and kids being pulled in tubes and everyone's trying to enjoy the water. Let's do it without the alcohol.”
Make waves, but know your limits
Another safety consideration for boaters to be aware of includes speed restrictions and no wake zones. Leko says speed restrictions are in place from shore, and certain boat launches do enforce a no wake zone, where vessels must be moving slowly enough to not create a wake on the water.
Furthermore, there are charges applicable when a boat is operating unsafely in any capacity.
“Under the criminal code, there is dangerous operation of a pleasure craft and that would also include a boat. So, when you’ve got some guy out there who's out there driving recklessly, it's no different than a motor vehicle.”
Leko emphasizes that the RCMP and conservation officers are patrolling to ensure people are enjoying the summer boating season safely and legally.
“We're out there, we're going to continue to be out there quite a bit with the RCMP and other conservation officers checking our water bodies. Rafferty Reservoir, Nickle Lake. We're also doing work over towards Kenosee, Alameda, Boundary, all of those, even up as far north as the Qu’Appelle Chain. We'll be out there ensuring that everyone's being safe on the water.”