Peter GarapickSuperintendent MCTS C&A Region

Canadian Safe Boating Council2012 Symposium - Gravenhurst

1. Tutorial- how do boaters & the CCG interact?

2. Training - how has it influenced the boater?

3. Technology - what is the boater using?

4. Troubles - how is the boater getting into/out of it?

5. Tidbits- other factors impacting boaters / boating

Future Boating - Scanning the Horizon

Ice Breaking

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Environmental Response

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Aids to Navigation

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Marine Communications & Traffic Services

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Search and Rescue (SAR)

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Mandated WatersOceans – the three (Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic)

Lakes – the Great ones (Erie, Huron, Superior..)

Rivers – the big ones (St Lawrence, Mackenzie…)

Not Mandated but have a PresenceGreat Slave Lake, Lake Winnipeg, Lake Simcoe

Not MandatedInland lakes and rivers - Lake Muskoka, etc.

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

All types of boater but we only see /interact with the

Boater with a Problem – or – the Problem Boaters on the Oceans, Great Lakes & connecting waterways.

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

What Trends do we see out there?

1.Training

2.Technology

3.Troubles

4.Tidbits

Canadian Coast Guard Perspective

Premise:

• Stats show that most boaters have the card.

• Regardless of how they got it, they had to think.

• On the way to the boat, safety light bulb comes on:– “be safe”; or– “don’t get dinged by the police”

Training – has the PCOC made a difference?

Results:• Boaters are dealing with issues themselves due to

having the safety gear onboard and knowledge to self rescue

• More boaters wearing their PFDs

• Older boaters still have bad habits, younger boaters learning from the new / current boating environment

• CCG responding to fewer simple incidents, responding to the more critical situations

Training – has the PCOC made a difference?

Future Challenge:

• Paddle Sports, evolving boating activities

• Maintaining relevancy:– Content - as boating environment changes – Delivery – keeping up with the times– Enforcement - resources available to be on the water

Training – has the PCOC made a difference?

Premise:

• Boaters are no different than landlubbers and have exported technology onto the water whether it was designed to be there or not.

Technology – what is the boater using?

Results:

• Smart phones with apps used in place of traditional nautical devices (compass, VHF radio, charts)

• Laptops, e-Charts, VHF DSC, GPS…

• Safety gear becoming part of the day on the water:– PLBs becoming more common– PFD wear rate up

Technology – what is the boater using?

Challenge:

• Limitations of electronic devices or using them– reliable or backup power source– cell phone range– linking devices together to have them work correctly

• Isolationism of the self contained boater – not using VHF radio in case of emergency– heads down navigation

• Keeping up with Technology– should CCG Tweet the weather, MARBs, NOTSHIPs– do we need (as many) aids to navigation

Technology – what is the boater using?

Premise:

• CCG is responding to fewer simple incidents

• Boaters that much more cognizant of costs of getting into trouble on the water:– Repairs– Response– Fines

Troubles – how is the boater getting help?

Results:

• Boaters not driving around without a spare

• Private (US and Canadian) response agencies operating on Canadian waters

• “CAA” like arrangements for boaters

• Boaters helping boaters (MARB)

Troubles – how is the boater getting help?

Challenge:

• Some things don’t change:– Alcohol– Testosterone– The old canoe behind the shed

Troubles – how is the boater getting help?

• First Nations– Engagement nearby and further afield

• Arctic Boating– Training requirements– Response capabilities

• Climate Change – Longer season, more messaging / resources– Earlier seasons cold water

• Economy– older boats /lower maintenance / safety second priority

Tidbits – other items to think about?

Thoughts?

Future Boating – Scnning the Horizon