Best Practices for Safe Boating
Best Practices for Safe Boating
All Canadian boaters have been required to have boating licenses for some time now, so they should be knowledgeable about most aspects of boating safety. For refreshers, see the Transport Canada ‘Safe Boating Guide’, with particular attention to ‘Operating at a Safe Speed’ (p. 45), Operating ‘Personal Watercraft (PWC)’, (p. 48), ‘Province-Wide Shoreline Speed Limits’ (p. 54), and ‘Boating Offences and Associated Fines’ (p. 57).

Speed zones: However, boating in the Thousand Islands has some unique features that should be on every boat captain’s mind, but which are often ignored. These features have to do with the often narrow channels through islands and the damage that boat wakes can do to shorelines and docks. These narrow channels are subject to speed zones, even if not posted. Licensed boaters are advised to recall the guide to the boating exam that states: “The unposted speed limit of 10 km/h (6mph) should always be observed when 30 meters (100 ft) from shore or closer. However, when you’re out and about on the waterways, looking for any speed limit or “no wake zone” is essential.”
Boat wakes: Several years ago, a report was prepared for the TLTI because many speed zones that were previously marked no longer have signage due to the deterioration of the old signage. This situation is currently being reviewed by the TLTI and OPP. The main problem with specifying exact speeds for all boats is that certain types of boats create excessive wakes even at the posted speed. To reduce their wakes, these boats need to go very slow through narrow channels, but many of these boats do not do so. In the meantime, boaters are reminded that they are responsible for damage caused by their wakes. We recommend that boaters remain mindful of this issue, being ‘Wake Aware’ and knowing the types of damage caused by boat wakes is important for every person on the river.