No. P08/06
For release July 25, 2006
VANCOUVER — Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety and the Vancouver
Police Department (VPD) are reminding recreational boaters to take extra care
during the HSBC Celebration of Light fireworks festival in English Bay on July
26, 29, August 2 and 5th, 2006.
Traditionally, more than 1,000 boats have navigated into English Bay for each
night of the event. In order to ensure safety, Transport Canada and the VPD
request that boaters observe the rules of the road and carry the proper safety
equipment for the size and class of their boat. Navigating at night can be
challenging, especially when there are lots of boats around and the city's
lights create a confusing background. Vessels are required to display navigation
lights at all times when on the water after dark — any vessels without proper
lighting will be required to leave the area immediately. Operators not familiar
with operating a boat at night should consider watching the fireworks display
from ashore.
Under the Contraventions Act, the VPD and other enforcement agencies can
ticket boaters on the spot for boating offences such as not having the required
safety equipment on board, including the appropriate size lifejackets. Boaters
can also be ticketed for failure to display navigation lights at night,
disobeying speed limits, or careless operation of a vessel. Boaters that do not
have the required safety equipment onboard their vessels will be prohibited from
launching their boats into English Bay.
Transport Canada and the VPD would also like to remind boaters that impaired
operation of a vessel is a criminal offence. Alcohol reduces reaction time and
impairs judgment. Mixing boating with alcohol is not only illegal but also
extremely dangerous. So, remember, "Don't cruise with booze." Boaters are
encouraged to do their part by observing a few simple safety rules to make this
a safe, incident-free event.
For information on boating safety, please call the Boating Safety Infoline at
1-800-267-6687 or visit the Office of Boating Safety website (www.boatingsafety.gc.ca).
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Contacts:
Sau Sau Liu
Communications,
Transport Canada
604-666-5607
Constables Howard Chow or Tim Fanning
Media Relations, VPD
604-717-2680
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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