Multiple agencies urging for increased safety on BC waterways
Aug 6, 2024
CAPTION: Photo Courtesy of Conrad Kaddu of Boating BC Association (Boating BC Association President Bruce Hayne addressing media. Other participants (from left to right) include Sergeant Darin McDougall, VPD Emergency Response Section – Pacific Pilotage Authority CEO John Wilson, and Sean Baxter, Acting Director of Marine Operations and Harbour Master, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority).
Multiple agencies came together on July 25th 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
About Boating BC Association: Boating BC Association, the voice of recreational boating in BC, is comprised of 320 member companies that represent all aspects of the boating industry. As owners of the Vancouver International Boat Show, the Association strives to ensure the industry remains strong – working closely with all levels of government, cultivating marine career opportunities and promoting safe, responsible boating and access to waterways across B.C. For more information on Boating BC, visit: https://www.boatingbc.ca/
About Pacific Pilotage Authority: The Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) is a federal Crown corporation established in 1972 under the Pilotage Act. The PPA is responsible for providing safe, efficient, and reliable marine pilotage services in the coastal waters of British Columbia and the Fraser River. With a strong commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection, the PPA oversees compulsory pilotage areas on the West Coast, ensuring that vessels navigating these waters are guided by skilled and experienced marine pilots. The Authority works collaboratively with industry stakeholders, port authorities, and government agencies to enhance navigational safety and support Canada’s economy, enabling some $400 billion in maritime trade to flow through BC’s ports each year. For more information on Pacific Pilotage Authority, visit: www.ppa.gc.ca.
About the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the Port of Vancouver: The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is the federal agency responsible for the shared stewardship of the Port of Vancouver. Like all Canada Port Authorities, we are accountable to the federal minister of transport, and operate pursuant to the Canada Marine Act with a mandate to enable Canada’s trade through the Port of Vancouver, while protecting the environment and considering local communities. The port authority is structured as a non-share corporation, is financially self-sufficient and does not rely on tax dollars for operations. Our revenues come from port terminals and tenants who lease port lands, and from port users who pay various fees such as harbour dues. Profits are reinvested in port infrastructure. The port authority oversees the use of port land and water, which includes more than 16,000 hectares of water, over 1,500 hectares of land, and approximately 350 kilometres of shoreline. Located on the southwest coast of British Columbia in Canada, the Port of Vancouver extends from Roberts Bank and the Fraser River up to and including Burrard Inlet, bordering 16 municipalities and intersecting the traditional territories and treaty lands of more than 35 Coast Salish Indigenous groups. The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, and the third largest in North America by tonnes of cargo. Enabling the trade of approximately $300 billion in goods with between 140 and 170 countries each year, port activities sustain 115,300 jobs, $7 billion in wages, and $11.9 billion in GDP across Canada. For more information on Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, please visit: https://www.portvancouver.com/
