Welcome to My World of Boating.
Apr 29, 2021 6:53:32 GMT -5
Post by ET on Apr 29, 2021 6:53:32 GMT -5
Quite a few years ago you were required a boating license to operate a boat in Ontario. Now every boat requires life jackets for everyone on board, bailing bucket and whistle or flare gun. Now this license will only allow you to operate a boat up to 60ft. I challenged the exam back then and got my operator’s license.
Now over the years there have been a lot of waterway accidents especially on holidays with people congregating around the water on hot days. Most accidents were attributed to impaired operators under the influence of alcohol. So, a law was introduced that if caught impaired operating a pleasure craft this would now go against your driver’s license. What I thought was overboard was that it also includes operating a canoe even though you don’t need a boating license. The government’s reasoning is that a canoe is considered a vehicle.
Every year 4 or 5 of us would get together for a day of Lake Trout fishing the day before Father’s Day. One friend had a 20ft boat fitted with downriggers to go down deep for Lake Trout. Once the riggers were set up it was a waiting game trolling the water. Before long someone would crack a beer and the others would join in. No problem as I took the helm operating the boat. I don’t really drink so that was my job on the outing, designated driver.
Well, these are gone by days but the regulations remain. It seems today we are regulated with almost everything we do. I just wish certain people would smarten-up instead of seeing additional regulations appearing.
Now over the years there have been a lot of waterway accidents especially on holidays with people congregating around the water on hot days. Most accidents were attributed to impaired operators under the influence of alcohol. So, a law was introduced that if caught impaired operating a pleasure craft this would now go against your driver’s license. What I thought was overboard was that it also includes operating a canoe even though you don’t need a boating license. The government’s reasoning is that a canoe is considered a vehicle.
Every year 4 or 5 of us would get together for a day of Lake Trout fishing the day before Father’s Day. One friend had a 20ft boat fitted with downriggers to go down deep for Lake Trout. Once the riggers were set up it was a waiting game trolling the water. Before long someone would crack a beer and the others would join in. No problem as I took the helm operating the boat. I don’t really drink so that was my job on the outing, designated driver.
Well, these are gone by days but the regulations remain. It seems today we are regulated with almost everything we do. I just wish certain people would smarten-up instead of seeing additional regulations appearing.
