Safe Boating Awareness Week has been the mainstay of communicating the messages of “boating safety” among millions of Canadian Boaters each year.
Over the past week, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) volunteers and our boating safety partners have delivered important and critical messages, content and lessons learned to Canadian boaters and supporters like you who know the importance of staying safe.
However, RCMSAR would like to remind all folks that boating safety is not just a one-week event. Remember to follow these boating safety messages throughout the year.
As you make plans to enjoy our waters, please remember:
- Wear Your Lifejacket
- Boat Sober
- Be Prepared – You and Your Vessel
- Take a Boating Course; and,
- Be Aware of Cold-Water Risks
In preparation for a day out on the water, RCMSAR also strongly recommends that boaters:
- Leave a Sail Plan with loved ones prior to going out on the water.
- Familiarize yourself with the area you are visiting; be aware of commercial traffic zones and remote areas that lack reliable cellular coverage.
- Call for help when faced with an emergency on the water: use VHF CH 16 (channel 16 via a marine VHF radio) or call *16 or #727 on your cell phone.
For more materials on boating and water safety, be sure to consult these valuable sources:
Transport Canada: Safe Boating Guide | Physical Distancing for Canadian Boaters | Collision Regulations | Choosing lifejackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs)
STARTBoating.ca and BetterBoater.ca: Pre-Departure Checklist | Boating Safety Tips
Safety First Marine: Trip Plan and Safety Equipment Requirements
RCMSAR would like to recognize our boating safety partners and public officials for promoting safe boating awareness including:
- Canadian Safe Boating Council
- Boating BC Association
- Canadian Coast Guard
- Transport Canada – Office of Boating Safety
- Lifesaving Society
- BC AdventureSmart
- The Vancouver Police and their VPD Marine Unit
- Grey Kyllo, B.C. MLA (Shuswap)
- Stolen Boats Canada
We also extend our appreciation to the various the media that covered stories of recent RMCSAR search and rescue missions and highlighting boating safety messages and lessons learned:
- CTV News Vancouver
- Global BC News
- The Squamish Chief
- Comox Valley Record
- Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle – Ladysmith boaters encouraged to keep safety top of mind
- News1130 – B.C. search and rescue crews reminding people of water safety this summer
- Peace Arch News – Two people rescued after being found clinging to boat in Semiahmoo Bay
Enjoy this year’s boating season and, when faced with an emergency, remember to call for help: RCMSAR will be there when you need it.
RCMSAR is a not-for-profit volunteer-based organization that operates 31 marine rescue stations along the coast of British Columbia and in-land waters with over 900 volunteers and emergency response crews on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. RCMSAR’s mission is “Saving lives on the water”.
Last summer RCMSAR conducted 22% more search and rescue missions than the previous summer – and that number is expected to rise this boating season. Consider a gift to RCMSAR today to help our volunteers meet the cost of saving lives on the water and stay safe while doing it.