Speeding tickets

[SSfisher]

Has anyone else heard of the police cracking down on boaters this summer? A couple people here have had tickets in the last 2 days for speeding in the harbour. The speed limit is 5 knots, and it starts way out in the harbour. One allso got a ticket for expired flares. The tickets are $200 each. They got a little black RHIB that they come flying out of nowhere in. Puts a damper on going out to get a fish for dinner.

 

[Mr. Dean]

Many of the boating regulations have been turned over from the DFO too the RCMP.

In the past if a skipper was issued a 'ticket' it involved a mandatory court case. Now it's pay as you <s>go</s> screw up.

The key things the RC's are empowered to enforce involve safety related regulations. Some will say this is GOOD and others?????

 

[The Penguin]

tax collection pure and simple

 

[marula]

Grown man, home owner, tax payer, 9 years boating experience, two power squadron courses. Know my boat and these local waters inside out and I need some pup RCMP to check i have all my safety equipment. Pleeeeeeeesssse!!! Go find something better to do, we don't need your babysitting.

Education, not legislation!!!

 

[islandphile]

It's job creation...Government Style!

Now they can blow their horn about all the extra officers they're hiring so everyone can supposedly feel safer [V]

 

[knucklebuster]

Education is available.Most just don't listen.Many think boat time is a free for all. How else are we gonna get people to listen and follow the rules? Maybe when a few get ticketed , they will tell others and more people will smarten up. Up untill now there is basically no rules on the water.All you need is beer.There are a lot of real idiots out there.A lot of people that shouldn't have control of a boat. I am glad to hear of increased checks by police. Maybe it will make it a little safer for me and my family.
Just follow the rules and you should have no problem with it.If you are breaking the rules then I can see why you would have issues. Its the same as in a car.

 

[scottyboy]

what is the speed limit on the open water anyway????

 

[Tanglefoot]

Victoria harbour has had a 5Kt speed limit for years. Until recently the Harbour Master seemed to be the only one to enforce it and that usually consisted of a polite warning. The rules are published for everyone to read and obey and I guess now they are enforcing them. About time if it makes the harbour safer but they have to be consistent with the enforcing and nail all/most who break the law. I can say that because I NEVER go to VictoriaHowever, I did do a safety study on the harbour a few years ago, not directly pertaining to speed, and you wouldn't believe some of the goofy antics of some boaters, or maybe you would

Same thing with the flare laws, been on the books for years. Nothing more useless in time of need than a flare that wont[xx(] DAMHIKT [B)]
My $.02

 

[Red Monster]

It's excellent to hear some folks do take boating seriously enough to complete courses. Even though I have many years of experience, I took a number of courses, had a great time, and learnded lots of new things. But I would guess that for every guy who takes boating seriously, there are one or two who don't. [}]And I know guys with lots of experience who don't always use good sense. [V]Education is essential, but so is some enforcement. Instead of a fine, how about a ticket to take a boating course? [8D]

 

[SSfisher]

I agree with the safety part of it, but they are ticketing 16 foot boats that are planing with no wake. And to go 5 knts all the way out of the harbour takes 15 minutes. The speed limit was put in place to reduce wake from larger boats, but i think there should be an exception for smaller boats, that make no wake at higher speeds. It is a large harbour, and sea planes taking off and landing frequently. The planes dont want to wait for a little skiff to slowly get out of the way when they are trying to land in a busy harbour. It just seems stupid to me to have to go 5 knts all the way out in a small boat.