No. A012/06
For release - October 3, 2006
ST. JOHN'S, NL — With hunting season underway in various parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety wants to remind the public that Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and life jackets are not just for summer. Fall is the time of year many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians use boats of various types as they begin hunting for wildlife, including waterfowl. Transport Canada is encouraging anyone who plans to hunt, on or near the water, to wear a PFD or life jacket.
Observations by Transport Canada during this past summer have indicated that use of PFDs has been increasing and is very good in various parts of Newfoundland and Labrador. Patrols on numerous lakes and rivers throughout the province, including the south coast, northeast coast, west coast, Bonavista, Trinity and Placentia Bays, have seen the percentage of people wearing PFDs or life jackets averaging from 60 to 80%. These numbers indicate an increase from 2001, when a PFD observational study recorded approximately 57% of recreational boaters wearing PFDs.
Although there is evidence of an increase, Transport Canada continues to aim for a 100% use of PFDs and encourages all boaters, particularly hunters this season, to adhere to the following safety tips.
Safety Tips for Hunters
Newly approved colours mean darker coloured (green or blue), as well as camouflage PFDs are now available for hunting. Hunters who need warmth in the fall may choose a floater jacket, which provides extra thermal protection against hypothermia. One-piece floater suits also provide head-to-toe thermal protection against cold-water immersion. For increased mobility, hunters can use an inflatable vest. They come in dark colours, but once inflated - when the hunter needs to be seen - the brightly coloured buoyancy chamber is visible.
Be prepared for cold-water immersion. In the event of an emergency, having a survival suit could save your life. In the absence of a survival suit, multiple layers of clothing, such as wool and polyesters, in conjunction with a life jacket or PFD can also increase survival times in cold water. Take spare dry clothing with you. The water gets rougher in the fall and the likelihood of swamping or being thrown from your boat increases.
The use of small boats and inflatables in retrieving ducks and geese on small ponds and lakes can be very dangerous. Safe boating must be practiced and that means having all the necessary safety equipment and knowing how to use it. The wearing of a personal flotation device in a small water craft is the right choice.
Have a compass, marine charts, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) onboard and know how to use them. When the fog or snow flurries decrease your visibility, these tools can help guide you to shore.
Ensure you have a good communication device available, such as a marine VHF. This can be used to call for help or receive updates on the marine forecast. The Canadian Coast Guard monitors VHF channel 16 for calls from mariners in trouble. Also, ships at sea listen to this channel and may hear your call for help. In the absence of a marine VHF, a cell phone in a waterproof case can be used to call for help.
Let a responsible person know where you are going, when you will return, what your boat is like, how many persons are onboard and what safety equipment you have. This can be called a trip plan, sail plan or float plan, and it can save your life if something goes wrong.
Fall is also a good time of year to examine PFDs and life jackets for wear and tear and identify those that need to be replaced. Check for broken zippers, rips, tears, missing buckles and straps.
Owners of inflatable PFDs are reminded to familiarize themselves with the operating instructions as outlined in the owner's manual.
Also, anyone going out on the water should enhance their knowledge of the Small Vessel Regulations which can be found at www.boatingsafety.gc.ca or by calling a local Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety in St. John's, Clarenville, Lewisporte or Corner Brook.
More information on Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety, visit www.boatingsafety.gc.ca
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Contact:
Tracey HennesseyTransport Canada Communications(709) 772-6197
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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