Committee
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Safety Committee
Our Projects
2009 Safety Committee Report
Chair:
Barry Johnson
Committee
Members: Malcom Burwash, Gaylen Racine and Walter Hogg
The
mandate of our committee is to maintain and enhance a safe and peaceful
Lake of Bays. While safe boating is a major focus of our attention, all
recreational activities are our concern.
Each year we offer safe boating seminars and we held two in 2009.
The format was a 2½ hour seminar followed by an
opportunity to write the test for a Pleasure Craft Operating
Card. These courses are excellent for new boaters and a great
refresher for more experienced folk. They cover the basics of safe
boating and include discussion of boating on Lake of Bays. Susan Grant,
an accredited Power and Sail instructor, was our seminar leader. In
August we held a "challenge the test day" when people could come just
to write the test, which was administered by John Truscott, an
accredited Canadian Yachting Association PCOC Advisor.
In July, we held our Silent Boat Rally at BONDI Resort. This is a
family event open to canoes, kayaks and electric boats and is a
celebration of quiet boating. This year's winner was Margaret Casey who
won golf for two at Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course. The boats move
(quietly) from dock to dock to pick up a five-card playing hand. The
event was as usual generously supported by our local business
community. Everybody attending was treated to hot dogs, burgers and
soft drinks. Our thanks to our gracious hosts, Nancy and Brian Tapley.
Again this year we worked hard to distribute Transport Canada's Safe
Boating Guide, making it available at every Lake of Bays Association
summer event. This is a terrific little reference booklet which covers
all aspects of safe boating. Every boater should have one on board.
We also hand out BOAT RIGHT, BE POLITE — a guide to sharing the waters
with your fellow cottagers, written by Gaylen Racine. This very
informative pamphlet covers water skiing, tubing, wake boarding,
personal watercraft and noisy boats. The BOAT RIGHT, BE POLITE brochure
is posted on our website (www.loba.ca) on the Recreation and Safety
Page and we have shared this material with other cottage associations
who want to incorporate into their safe boating programs. Committee
members also write articles on safety issues for the yearbook and
Current Connection. We welcome comments and suggestions.
Lake of Bays is a relatively safe lake for boating. The main routes of
the lake are well marked for boaters. However, not all hazards are
marked. There can be hazards in out of the way places that aren’t
marked and could be dangerous. If you are aware of such a hazard please
notify the Lake of Bays Association steward for your area, or any
member of this committee. You’ll find phone numbers and e-mail
addresses for reaching us in the yearbook and on the website
www.loba.ca.
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