- Boaters will heed the flotilla of laws and Transport Canada safety regulations that govern boating around English Bay.
- Recreational vessels don’t realize that when they get within a certain distance of a deep sea ship, they cannot be seen.
- Authorities considering criminal charges for violators.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has issued a stern warning after a near-collision between a recreational boater and a freighter.
The incident, which was caught on surveillance video, happened just west of the Lions Gate Bridge on the evening of July 17 when the pleasure craft cut sharply in front of the bow of a bulk carrier steaming into port.
The Vancouver Police Department has opened its own investigation and is still considering whether criminal charges would be appropriate. They have identified the boat and interviewed the owner as well as the operator, according to Const. Brian Montague, VPD spokesman.
In the meantime, the port is hoping more boaters will heed the flotilla of laws and Transport Canada safety regulations that govern boating around English Bay, First Narrows, Second Narrows and the Vancouver inner harbour, and keep clear of port activities.
Kevin Obermeyer, CEO of the Pacific Pilotage Authority, which guides ocean-going vessels into the narrow harbour, said close calls like this happen about three or four times a year.
“It’s largely due to the fact that a lot of these recreational vessels don’t realize that when they get within a certain distance of a deep sea ship, they cannot be seen,” he said. “It can be as much as 500 or 600 metres, and even if you were, there’s not much a deep sea ship can do if the vessel suddenly had an engine failure and stopped.”
The pilotage authority has been trying to get that message out via pamphleting at local marinas.
Drivers of smaller boats often believe they can quickly get out of the way of tankers, which is dangerous thinking, Obermeyer said.
“Even if we put the wheel hard over . . . and put the engine full astern, chances are we wouldn’t be able to stop,” he said. “Had they collided, there would have been little or no damage to the freighter but there probably would have been very, very large damage and possibly injuries as well to the recreational vessel. You’re looking at David and Goliath here.”
Obermeyer said he often sees sailboaters incorrectly believing they have the right of way.
“In a channel approaching the port, they don’t have the right of way,” he said. “It’s all about education.”
With the exception of a narrow strip along Ambleside and the mouth of the Capilano River, anything east of Navvy Jack Point in West Vancouver is considered off limits for fishing, crabbing, sailing, rowing, jet-skiing, anchoring or watersports. Boaters must keep to the right of the channel used by deep sea vessels while transiting the First and Second Narrows and avoid port terminals and the aircraft operations area in Coal Harbour.
Near misses like the one on July 17 are all investigated by Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard and if necessary, the police.
To watch video, please click here
Did you subscribe for our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: North Shore News
