Multiple agencies pushing for increased safety on B.C. waterways

A number of the organizations responsible for marine safety in Canada are reminding recreational boaters to be careful around working craft.

Officials with Boating BC, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the VPD Marine Union, B.C. Coast Pilots, and the Pacific Pilotage Authority came together to warn of the dangers of operating watercraft in southern B.C.’s waterways and along the coast.

“Sea planes have limited visibility out on the water, so do not assume that they can see you, and don’t assume that you have the right of way,” said Vancouver Harbourmaster Sean Baxter.

“We’re asking recreational boats to yield, even if they do feel they have the right of way.”

Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and the fourth largest cargo port on the Pacific Coast, making the waters around the region some of the most travelled in the world. This means recreational boaters and commercial ships cross paths way more often than they normally would.

As container ships, bulk carriers, and cruise ships pass through the area, the massive vessels are covered in blind spots that make it challenging to track smaller boats, officials say.

They say large vessels are slow to maneuver, so when small, maneuverable vessels, usually piloted by recreational boaters, get close to them, they can’t respond as quickly as many boaters think they can.

Safety experts say you should stay at least 500 metres from large ships and pay attention to what’s going on around you.

“It is incumbent on you to keep a lookout at all times, with all available means,” said VPD Marine Unit Sgt. Darin McDougall.

“That’s not just your eyes. That’s with your ears. If you have electronics. It’s everything. If everyone just does that, and pays attention to their surroundings, accidents won’t occur out on the water.”

As many as 60,000 float planes move in the harbour each year, and the port authority says most of them go off without a hitch.

Transport officials are still investigating the crash in June that saw a Harbour Air sea plane collide with a boat in Coal Harbour.