Safety: Multiple Agencies Urging for IncreasedSafety on BC Waterways

Aug 8, 2024

Multiple agencies came together in late July in Vancouver Harbour to urge recreational boaters, particularly those on BC’s south coast, to be aware of significantly increased recreational and commercial traffic in and around coastal waterways.
 
“BC’s southern coast is increasingly busy with many types of marine traffic,” says Boating BC Executive Director Bruce Hayne. “Today, this group of stakeholders are coming together to call for recreational boaters to know and respect the rules of the water, in particular around commercial vessels – and if you don’t know, educate yourself.”
 
Under a campaign titled “Shared Waterways” Boating BC has joined with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, VPD Marine Unit, BC Coast Pilots, and Pacific Pilotage Authority in speaking to the need for recreational boaters to be especially aware of increased traffic in the southern coast waterways.
 

“At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, our role is to ensure the safe and efficient movement of all vessels that make up Canada’s busiest port. The port authority’s harbour patrol team is out on the waters every day to help create a safe shared space for all port users, including escorting deep-sea vessels, educating recreational boaters about safe boating guidelines, speed limits and staying clear of large ships and seaplanes. We encourage recreational boaters to be prepared before they head out on the waters and remember to ‘plan, look, listen and act’ when out in our shared waterways.”
– Sean Baxter, Acting Director of Marine Operations and Harbour Master, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

“With our responsibility to provide marine pilotage services in coastal BC and on the Fraser River, the Pacific Pilotage Authority is pleased to be working with other marine safety partners to promote Boating BC’s Shared Waterways campaign. We urge all recreational boaters to keep a good lookout and to maintain a safe distance from large ships so that our waters remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.”   
– Pacific Pilotage Authority CEO John Wilson
 
“The VPD Marine Unit is committed to working with our partner agencies for the purpose of educating the boating public on the safe operation of vessels.  We are working with Transport Canada, the VFPA, the Canadian Coast Guard and the office of Boating Safety to get this message of safety out to the boating community.  The local waterways are extremely busy with a combination of commercial and private vessels of all sizes and it is incumbent upon everyone to be aware of their surroundings at all times and to operate their vessel in a safe manner that is consistent with the rules and regulations outlined by the Canada Shipping Act and Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations.”
– Sergeant Darin McDougall, VPD Emergency Response Section – Marine Unit 

“With the 2024 boating season in full swing the BC Coast Pilots would like to remind all boaters to always be aware of the large vessel traffic when you are navigating your boat in or around the deep-sea traffic routes.  Please ensure you are monitoring VHF marine radio channel 16, keeping a safe lookout to avoid impeding large vessels and to keep well clear when possible.”
– Captain Nathan Boutilier, BC Coast Pilots 
 
For more information on the Shared Waterways campaign visit: https://www.boatingbc.ca/cpages/shared-waterways