Canada Enacts New River Rafting Guidelines
April 30, 2008
In a bit of pure coincidence, I recently reported on efforts in the United States to begin looking into kayak and kayaking laws on the nations coastlines and waterways. Looks like Canada may have beat us to it, as this Press Release has just been made public moments ago.
OTTAWA, April 30 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister
of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the coming into
force of the Special-purpose Vessels Regulations and the Vessel Operation
Restriction Regulations. These regulations are made under the Canada Shipping
Act, 2001 (CSA 2001).“Our government is committed to the safety and security of all commercial
and recreational users of Canadian waterways while protecting the
environment,” said Minister Cannon. “To address the increase in traffic on our
waterways, the regulations provide new national river rafting safety
standards, and updated mechanisms to restrict the use of any type of vessel,
including personal watercraft, on designated waters.”The new Special-purpose Vessels Regulations incorporate industry best
practices by outlining the requirements for all river rafting companies to
have vessel and safety equipment standards such as helmets, lifejackets and
their equivalents, and the circumstances in which they must be worn;
operational standards such as first aid training, familiarization trips and
safety briefings; and the maintenance of detailed records of each excursion.The updated and renamed Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations make it
possible for local authorities to apply to Transport Canada to place
restrictions on the access of a vessel or class of vessels to specified
waters; the mode of propulsion used; maximum engine power or speed; and
recreational towing activities (e.g., water-skiing). The new regulations also
impose a universal shoreline speed limit of 10 km/h within 30m of the shore in
all rivers and lakes of Nova Scotia, including Bras d’Or Lake.The Special-purpose Vessels Regulations were pre-published in the Canada
Gazette, Part I on August 11, 2007. The Vessel Operation Restriction
Regulations were first published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on August 18,
2007. A comment period for these regulations was provided, during which
interested parties were encouraged to provide their views to Transport Canada.
The new regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on April
30, 2008.For further information: Karine White, Press Secretary, Office of the
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa, (613) 991-0700;
Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, (613) 993-0055; 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.; This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
As you can tell from the Press Release, this is very similar to efforts being proposed in the United States. The guidelines in the U.S., though, only concern kayaking, at this point. This is part of Canada’s new law as published today. If you are heading that way and your intentions are kayaking, boating, ect. it may be in your best interest to contact someone regarding these new laws and regulations. Remember, not knowing a law is not an excuse. Especially in a foreign country.
From The Adventurist Vault:
Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Canada, Uncategorized, boating, kayaking |
It seems like they have beaten us!