Safety gear requirements for boaters

G

GDW

Well-Known Member
Word is RCMP have been out checking safety equipment. i saw them once but did not get checked myself. So is this the list of what I need for a 17ft boat?
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-equipment-size-less6m-1791.htm

Also it says re boarding device (ladder) not required if freeboard is less then 0.5 metres. Would that include the transom as my boat sits low in the water at the transom but the sides might be close to the 0.5m limit.

Also reading that list I don't need flares if I have a flashlight?

And what's this business about needing a radar reflector? It has an * beside it but I'm not really sure if I need that or not for fishing the victoria and Sooke area (including Constance bank)

As fishing season gets going we should all double check our safety gear it can get expensive but a ticket costs more and who knows someday your safety gear could save a life.
 
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I like "They should be located above all superstructures and at least 4 m (13’1”) above the water (if possible). " Anybody have a flag pole installed?

In terms of the radar reflector the requirements are so vague I doubt it's enforced, I don't see very many boats out there with radar refectors on the roof
 
From Transport Canada website:

Passive Radar Reflectors

A radar reflector can help a radar-equipped vessel detect your vessel. Vessels less than 20 metres in length or constructed primarily of non-metallic materials must be equipped with a passive radar reflector mounted above the superstructure, not less than 4 metres above the water. The reflector must be able to maintain its performance under the range of foreseeable environmental conditions.

The radar reflector requirement does not apply if your boat only operates in limited traffic, daylight, and favourable environmental conditions. Your vessel is not required to carry a reflector if compliance is impractical because of the small size of the vessel or if it only operates where other vessels do not use radar.



So if you're running in the daytime with no fog, you don't need one. Foggy conditions where there is lots of traffic, you need one.
 
High Five- Have you been nailed for this before? or had a close call? Just wondering?

Ive never had one but am thinking of getting one. I was thinking Sooke might be one of those areas where we are not in 4M seas often/ever so it might be void? or did I read that wrong?
 
I'm not in a hurry to add a reflector I've got enough projects.

Did I read that right about flares where it's 3 flares OR a watertight flashlight? I've got flares that need to be replaced soon. Ill always keep flares on board but its interesting if a flashlight is all you need. My flares expire soon.
 
Yes GDW. Water tight flashlight, OR flares. I have a water tight flashlight instead of flares. I was checked in oak bay a couple years back, and no problem. I also use my boat as a family ski/tube boat, so I leave my ski rope in the boat, and that's my 50 ft buoyant heaving line. That was no problem either.
 
By the way, when I was checked, nothing was mentioned about a radar reflector, and I dont have one.
 
Did I read that right about flares where it's 3 flares OR a watertight flashlight? I've got flares that need to be replaced soon. Ill always keep flares on board but its interesting if a flashlight is all you need. My flares expire soon.
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Under 6 meters the WP flashlight is ok, over 6 meters must have flares
 
Got stopped today by the RCMP on my friends boat. Have to say they were friendly and professional and seemed more concerned about educating than giving you a hard time. Glad to see them step up enforcement which may save some lives. They seem most concerned about your Boat Registration, the owner/operator having a PCOC and that there is a life jacket on board for everyone. Requirements differ depending on boat length but they also asked us about a paddle/or anchor gear, sound device, reboarding device, bail bucket or manual pump, water proof flashlight, floating throw rope, non expired flares. etc. and advised us to check and hit the bottom of the fire extinguisher every few months with a rubber hammer. They did not mention a radar reflector or the ROC-M.

We got a pass for everything except for a warning for the flashlight which was not considered waterproof. I checked online and there is some debate as to just how water resistant high end Mag lights are so a good call on their part.
 
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If your boat has a super structure getting a radar reflector to sit on top of it is a good idea and I have one on my boat. As someone who has Radar it is surprising how variable boats are as to the radar signature they give off. Some large glass sport boats have a pretty weak radar signature that fades in and out and disappears at relatively short ranges whereas some small glass boats have strong signatures.

My glass boat has a lot of metal on it including a large pod, radar arch and checker plate metal main bilge hatch and all metal cupboard doors so it should glow out their even without the radar reflector.

Got my reflector for 7 dollars and an approved life ring for 15 dollars at the annual Ogden Point marine garage sale in Victoria. It is a great place to outfit a boat if you are on a budget.
 
Got checked today as well. Flares out of date by six months and didn't have my registration with me. Just a warning for me. Off to the store we go. Should be able to find something more interesting than flares to buy. LOL Oh by the way was informed that no registration is worth $278.00. Now where did I put those damn papers.
 
I recently picked up a radar reflector off usedvic for my boat. When I was out for hali last week, I called into VTS and had them check my position on their radar to see what type of signal they were getting. They came back and said I had a very strong signal. I have a 16' Arima fiberglass and soft top. All I did was hook the reflector to my harpoon shaft and throw in my net holder off the side of my boat. Good to know it works.
 
The RCMP boat is a small-ish rib with I think three (or is it two?) large E techs. They can check oak bay to Sooke and beyond in an afternoon.
 
GDW said:
The RCMP boat is a small-ish rib with I think three (or is it two?) large E techs. They can check oak bay to Sooke and beyond in an afternoon.
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Twin 150's E-techs on the little RIB today. I understand their bigger ones have twin 300's. Both of them must really move when they want to.
 
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Was it the white one? Saw it a few weeks ago looked sweet. They were chatting to Beasley didn't see them check anyone else not sure if they were even checking him.
 
GDW said:
Was it the white one? Saw it a few weeks ago looked sweet. They were chatting to Beasley didn't see them check anyone else not sure if they were even checking him.
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Greyish/whiteish It will be the same boat or one like it. Very impressive, got a glance into the pilot house side window. Top of the line equipment, looked like duel 10 inch HD displays, one for each seat.
 
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This is a great thread. I hope folks learn from it big time. They are out there and they are checking. It is up to YOU to conform to the safety stuff. Just do it and life is good. You can't argue safety. If you think you can than give er a whirl lol!

I started my offshore experiences of WCVI on a bad note and have learned from that experience big time. I have over the years learned to be above and beyond what the regulations say. It is all about getting back home. They are only fish.

Cheers,
John
 
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