As a follow-up to the article about Amarone II's run-in with the RCMP joint task-force, I sent an email to Transport Canada to ask for the exact rules regarding what rights a boater has (or as it would seem, doesn't have) when it comes to being boarded/searched on the water.  This isn't a commentary on whether the rules are fair or not, or how anyone should conduct themselves, just the reply as provided by Transport Canada.

You, as the operator of the pleasure craft, must offer reasonable assistance during the interaction with the law enforcement on the water.

The enforcement officers have the right to board your pleasure craft under Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and its regulations

Canada Shipping Act, 2001 - Part 10 - Pleasure Craft

Powers

(4) Enforcement officers acting under subsection (2) and inspectors acting under subsection (3) may

(a) stop or board the craft at any reasonable time;

(b) direct any person to put into operation or cease operating any machinery or equipment on the craft;

(c) direct that the craft not be moved until the inspection is completed;

(d) direct any person to move the craft to a safe place if the officer or inspector has reasonable grounds to believe that it does not meet the requirements of this Part or the regulations made under this Part or exposes any person to serious danger, and direct that it not be operated until it meets those requirements or no longer exposes any person to serious danger; and

(e) direct any person to move the craft to a safe place if the officer or inspector has reasonable grounds to believe that the operator does not meet the requirements of the regulations made under this Part, and direct that the operator not operate it until the operator meets those requirements.

Duty to assist

(5) The owner or person in charge of a pleasure craft and every person on board shall

(a) give an officer or inspector all reasonable assistance to enable them to carry out an inspection and exercise any power conferred by this section; and

(b) produce to an officer or inspector any document, or provide them with any information, that the officer or inspector may reasonably require, for the administration of this Part or Part 5 (Navigation Services) or the regulations made under either of those Parts

Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations:

17. An enforcement officer may

(a) direct or prohibit the movement of any vessel; and

(b) stop and board any vessel at any reasonable time, and

(i) direct any person to put into operation or cease operating any equipment on board the vessel,

(ii) ask any pertinent questions of, and demand all reasonable assistance from, any person on board the vessel, and

(iii) require that any person on board the vessel provide to the enforcement officer, for examination, any document or information that is in the person's possession.

And under the Competency of Operator of Pleasure Craft Regulations:

8.1 An enforcement officer may, in order to verify and ensure compliance with these Regulations,

(a) ask any pertinent questions of, and demand all reasonable assistance from, the owner or master, or any person who is in charge or appears to be in charge, of a pleasure craft;

(b) require that the owner or master or other person who is in charge or appears to be in charge of the pleasure craft produce forthwith

(i) personal identification, and

(ii) any other document required by these Regulations; and

(c) go on board any pleasure craft.

If you have any further questions or would like to discuss this, please contact me at my number listed below.

Jonathan Doan

Boating Safety Officer | Agent de la sécurité nautique

Office of Boating Safety | Bureau de la sécurité nautique

Marine Safety, Ontario Region | Sécurité maritime, Région de l'Ontario

Transport Canada | Transports Canada

100 Front St. S., Sarnia ON N7T 2M4 

jonathan.doan@tc.gc.ca

- from Dave Steenbergen

__________________________________________________________________ 

As I previously reported, ABYC will host the sailing component of the Ontario Summer Games Friday August 17 to Sunday August 19.  The regatta will bring together top junior sailors to compete for the Provincial under-18 championships in Laser Radial (male and female) and 420 (open).

We are still looking for a few people to fill out our race committee and onshore teams.  On the water we need a mark boat crew for Saturday and two mark boat crew for Sunday.  On shore, we need a couple of launch ramp assistants for each of Saturday and Sunday.  It's not necessary to volunteer for both days, and for the launch ramp jobs half a day would help.

If you can help please contact me at dave.steenbergen@rogers.com

The ABYC Junior Race Team had two consecutive regattas, from July 19-22, at PCYC.   

Steerers Regatta presented some challenging weather conditions.  As a result, there were many DNC's.  However, a couple of our sailors competed in all races.  For those sailors that competed in some or all of the races, the results were:  Shawn Gershman, 2^nd in Red fleet, 3^rd overall, Ian Doell, 2^nd in Blue fleet, 4^th. overall, Sarah Christensen, 3^rd in Red fleet, 12^th overall and Quinten Beelik, 11^th. in Blue fleet and 17^th overall.

Four Sisters regatta had much better wind conditions but some tough competition.

  The results were:

  Blue fleet: Quinten Beelik, 9^th, Ian Doell, 13^th, Martin Staadecker, 15^th and Jack Peabody, 20^th.

  Red fleet: Shawn Gershman, 1^st, Sarah Christensen, 8^th.

  Green fleet: Paul Staadecker, 6^th.  

August 13 - 16 - CORK Intl. (Dinghies) 

August 18 - LOSHRS 100 Mile Race

August 18 - Royals Weekend

August 18 - 22 - CORK ORC (29er) 

August 25 - EYC Level & Open Regatta

August 28 - Sept. 1 - Youth Nationals (Lasers & 29ers) 

September 08 - QCYC Open Regatta

September 8 - Cornish Hen - RHYC (Lasers & 29ers) 

September 15 - LOSHRS PCYC to Dalhousie

September 16 - LOSHRS Dalhousie to PCYC

September 22 - Fall CORK (Lasers & 29ers) 

September 22 - Donald Summerville Memorial Race - ABYC

September 30 - Boswell Trophy Race

ABYC Speakers' Bureau

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Attend our next Speakers' Bureau presentation to learn and discuss...

Monday August 20, 7:00pm @ ABYC Clubhouse

Introduced by Craig Sangster of CS Investment Counsel Corporation

I am hoping that you are having a great, sailing-filled summer so far.  If you haven't been away from the dock yet this year, take the time and come on down to the Club and go out.  The part of sailing that I am somewhat lazy about is the "go down to the boat, go out for an hour and enjoy a short sail".  When I have made that even short commitment, I have always had a great time.  Sometimes, it is that simple.

As I write this, I am sitting on Carellen in the Gananoque Municipal Marina, stocking up on groceries and anticipating a few days of Island hopping in the 1000 Islands with Paula and my son, Graham who has been able to get a couple of days off from the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa.  We are looking at anchoring at Camelot today, a beautiful island that has a particularly lovely cove.  We have spent time at anchor in Mulcaster anchorage.

Next Monday, I return to Toronto for the Board Meeting as our Club's business does not take a holiday.  I thank the Board Members and all those who give of their time to make our Club a better place to be.  I also thank those who go the extra mile to "talk up" our Club.  As members, we are all emissaries for our Club, and our actions and words while we travel the lake speak volumes.  I hear good things around the lake about our Club consistently, this trip included.

It is also getting close to the time when we anticipate the election of Directors and there are a few positions that are open for competition.  At the September General Meeting, the positions of Rear Commodore, Vice-Commodore of Financial Services, and the Vice-Commodore of Marine Services are open.  If you feel that you can contribute to the Club in such a position, feel free to apply, but please feel free to contact me about what the current Board is doing and the issues that we face.

Keep up the good work ABYC.  As Commodore, I can't thank you enough!

Respectfully submitted,  

Rick Humphrey, Commodore  

commodore@abyc.on.ca