Safety Committee
Studies & Reports
In this section:
Swim Rafts
PWC - Ride With Respect
Responsible Wakeboarding
All Terrain
Vehicles (ATV's)
Marine Patrol
Boat Right. Be
Polite. Pamphlet
Recreational
Boating Survey 2004
Swim Rafts
Structures used for recreation (i.e. Swim rafts and platforms, Slalom
Courses, Wakeboard and Ski Ramps or Jumps) are subject to review by
Transport Canada.Compliance with the following requirements will help
ensure that any interference to navigation your project may pose is
lessened and other waterway users rights are respected. . . swim raft application
PWC - Ride With Respect
Cottage Life has studied problems that have occurred with irresponsible
PWC operation and have developed a poster with user guidelines. Their
Ride with Respect * initiative advocates responsible PWC usage through
a set of standards for respectful ridership, as well as conflict
resolution guidelines for dealing with abusive PWC behaviour. Visit
their website www.cottagelife.com
If you've got a neighbour who's creating a problem on your
part of the lake, take him a copy of the poster. (Going with another
cottager or a member of your lake association can make this easier.)
Ask him if he's heard about Cottage Life's Responsible Rider campaign.
Tell him politely, but firmly, what the problem is, or simply drop off
the poster and let him read it himself. You may be surprised to learn
that he is unaware of how his PWC use is affecting others on the lake.
It may be that the craft is ridden by guests or other family members,
perhaps when he's not at the cottage to witness the behaviour.
 PWC Ride With Respect Poster
Responsible
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding has become an increasingly popular activity on our lake,
but has generated its share of conflict between boat operators and
cottage owners. Operators often like to run their boat in quiet waters
close to shore or in small bays, yet their large wake creates havoc
with wildlife habitat and cottagers' docks and shorelines. Below is a
link to a pamphlet created by the Lake of the Woods District Property
Owners Association that tries to address this issue. If you operate a
wakeboard, please read this and consider following the recommendations
presented, particularly staying at least 300 metres from shore. If you
are a cottager that is adversely affected by a wakeboard operator,
print this off and use it to discuss the problem with him or her.
Wakeboarding Flyer
Large wake too close to shore...
All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's)
ATV's are two-cycle 4-wheel drive machines designed for off-road use.
The ATV associations have been petitioning municipalities to pass
bylaws to permit their use on public roadways. LOBA opposes this. ATV's
pose an unwanted intrusion of noise, dust and damage on our cottage
roads. Follow the link to read a copy of our letter to the Mayor of the
Township of Lake of Bays. A similar letter was sent to the District of
Muskoka.
 Letter to Council regarding ATVs
Marine Patrol
Muskoka Lakes and Georgian Bay have student-run marine patrols on their
waterways. Blaire Sharpe, a LOBA board member, has conducted a
feasibility study for establishing one on Lake of Bays. He has
concluded that there is little support from members to support this
costly and high volunteer effort initiative, and that we should not
pursue it further.
Boat Right. Be Polite. Pamphlet
This pamphlet was created as a result of the 2004 Recreational Boating
Survey. Many of you recommended that LOBA provide some educational
material to recreational boaters. "Boat Right" describes the boating
regulations. "Be Polite" addresses what our fellow boaters and
cottagers expect. Read this pamphlet and let it be a guide to your boat
operation. The lake is getting busier every year. Being considerate of
our friends and neighbours is not only safer, but it makes Lake of Bays
a better place. Follow this link to a PDF version of the pamphlet.
Boat Right, Be Polite Pamphlet
Recreational Boating Survey 2004
The survey was initiated by a request from the Federation of Ontario
Cottagers Associations (FOCA) to provide input into their activities.
We took their survey and tailored it to LOBA's needs. It has provided
excellent guidance for the committee to address the opportunities and
issues related to recreational boating. Follow the link to see the
survey results.
Recreational Boating Survey 2004
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