Boating Safety: The Canadian Safe Boating Council
Nov 5, 2020
By John Gullick, ACBS member, President of the Trent Severn Antique and Classic Boat Association and Past Chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council.
It looks like Covid 19 has not stopped many people from boating. In fact, 2020 seems to have been a banner year and it looks like 2021 will be the same if not better. So, let me start by looking ahead and wishing everyone a safe and happy boating season for 2021.
In the past I have talked about a national volunteer organization dedicated to the promotion of safe boating for all, the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC).
Part of the mission of the CSBC is to provide common core education messages and resource materials that anyone can use as boaters or boating safety educators.
The CSBC focuses on five core messages:
• Wear your lifejacket
• Boat sober. This includes both alcohol and drug related messaging.
• Take a Boating Course
• Be Prepared – You and Your Vessel
• Cold Water Immersion
I have talked to you about many subjects related to these issues over the years but if you go to the CSBC web site you will find a large variety of information and resource material that is all free and downloadable. Go to www.csbc.ca
As part of this site you will be able to click on the SmartBoater section, click on your preferred type of vessel and find specifically related information. Including all of the required safety equipment and how to choose and care for it. In this section of the site you should also be able to find information about Pleasure Craft Safety Equipment Courtesy Checks. There is a training video on what happens during these courtesy checks and the required safety equipment.
There is also a convenient APP that you can use anytime to download for free and access the information above and more using your smart phone or tablet.
On the www.csbc.ca site you can find out more about the CSBC, its mission and its activities.
The CSBC campaigns include:
• Safe Boating Awareness Week
• Operation Dry Water
• Hooked on Lifejackets
• Stretching the Season
• Cold Water Awareness
• Enjoy Boating and
• Rental Boat Safety
There is also a lot of additional information about lifejackets and Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) and there is a whole section on the CSBCs resources.
Find out everything you need to know about boating safety on a single site.
Meet John Gullick
John is currently Manager of Government and Special Programmes, Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons responsible for government relations and the management of two national programmes mandated by Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety and Industry Canada, special projects and staff supervision.
John writes “Just Ask John for the CPS’ Port Hole. This article and others are “Second Time Around”
His many achievements in the boating field include:
• Past Chair Canadian Safe Boating Council, 1999 –
• Co Chairman, Recreational Boating Advisory Committee to the National Canadian Marine Advisory Council, 2007 –
• Management of the Pleasure Craft Operator Card and the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) programmes provided through 150 Squadrons, 400 independent Recognized Providers/Examiners and a number of Provincial Partner Organizations.
• Past Chair of the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival. Considered to be one of the world’s largest single day community event of its kind now in its 20th year.
