Peter Garapick Superintendent MCTS C&A Region Canadian Safe Boating Council 2012 Symposium - Gravenhurst

Future Boating - Scanning the Horizon

1. Tutorial

- how do boaters & the CCG interact?

2. Training

- how has it influenced the boater?

3. Technology

- what is the boater using?

4. Troubles

- how is the boater getting into/out of it?

5. Tidbits

- other factors impacting boaters / boating

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Ice Breaking

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Environmental Response

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Aids to Navigation

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Marine Communications & Traffic Services

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Search and Rescue (SAR)

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

Mandated Waters Oceans – the three (Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic) Lakes – the Great ones (Erie, Huron, Superior..) Rivers – the big ones (St Lawrence, Mackenzie…) Not Mandated but have a Presence Great Slave Lake, Lake Winnipeg, Lake Simcoe Not Mandated Inland lakes and rivers - Lake Muskoka, etc.

Tutorial - who is the Canadian Coast Guard?

All types of boater but we only see /interact with the Boater with a Problem – or – the Problem Boaters on the Oceans, Great Lakes & connecting waterways.

Canadian Coast Guard Perspective

What Trends do we see out there?

1.Training

2.Technology

3.Troubles

4.Tidbits

Training – has the PCOC made a difference?

Premise: • Stats show that most boaters have the card.

• Regardless of how they got it, they had to think.

• On the way to the boat, safety light bulb comes on: – “be safe”; or – “don’t get dinged by the police”

Training – has the PCOC made a difference?

Results: • Boaters are dealing with issues themselves due to having the safety gear onboard and knowledge to self rescue • More boaters wearing their PFDs • Older boaters still have bad habits, younger boaters learning from the new / current boating environment • CCG responding to fewer simple incidents, responding to the more critical situations

Training – has the PCOC made a difference?

Future Challenge: • Paddle Sports, evolving boating activities • Maintaining relevancy: – Content - as boating environment changes – Delivery – keeping up with the times – Enforcement - resources available to be on the water

Technology – what is the boater using?

Premise: • Boaters are no different than landlubbers and have exported technology onto the water whether it was designed to be there or not.

Technology – what is the boater using?

Results: • Smart phones with apps used in place of traditional nautical devices (compass, VHF radio, charts) • Laptops, e-Charts, VHF DSC, GPS… • Safety gear becoming part of the day on the water: – PLBs becoming more common – PFD wear rate up

Technology – what is the boater using?

Challenge: • Limitations of electronic devices or using them – reliable or backup power source – cell phone range – linking devices together to have them work correctly • Isolationism of the self contained boater – not using VHF radio in case of emergency – heads down navigation • Keeping up with Technology – should CCG Tweet the weather, MARBs, NOTSHIPs – do we need (as many) aids to navigation

Troubles – how is the boater getting help?

Premise: • CCG is responding to fewer simple incidents • Boaters that much more cognizant of costs of getting into trouble on the water: – Repairs – Response – Fines

Troubles – how is the boater getting help?

Results: • Boaters not driving around without a spare • Private (US and Canadian) response agencies operating on Canadian waters • “CAA” like arrangements for boaters • Boaters helping boaters (MARB)

Troubles – how is the boater getting help?

Challenge: • Some things don’t change: – Alcohol – Testosterone – The old canoe behind the shed

Tidbits – other items to think about ?

• First Nations – Engagement nearby and further afield • Arctic Boating – Training requirements – Response capabilities • Climate Change – Longer season, more messaging / resources – Earlier seasons cold water • Economy – older boats /lower maintenance / safety second priority

Future Boating – Scnning the Horizon

Thoughts?