Northern News Services

NNSL (May 22/98) - Powerboat operators will soon need to demonstrate some basic boating safety knowledge if they plan to enjoy a day on the open water.

Charlie Gadula, director of Small Vessels Partnership in Ottawa is in the midst of drafting regulations to be assessed by a special parliamentary committee of council, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sheila Copps.

According to Gadula, Fisheries and Ocean Minister David Anderson has stated his intentions: to require powerboat operators under the age of 16 pass a safety course and test.

Within three years, all operators of powerboats under the age of 55 will have to prove their proficiency.

As well, unaccompanied children under the age of 12 would be prohibited from operating motorboats with greater than 10 horsepower. Between the ages of 12 and 16, the limit would be 40 horsepower.

Spurred by close to 200 boating accident deaths annually, there have been public consultations across the country for the past three years regarding improved boating safety.

"Most of the public think that the status quo, where anybody can operate anything with no training, is unacceptable," Gadula said.

A basic six-hour safety course and 30 multiple-choice exams are to be administered by the private sector, according to Gadula. Agencies like the Red Cross, the Canadian Power Squadron and hunting and angling clubs will be eligible to provide the courses and conduct the tests. Anyone with previous safety-course certification will likely be recognized.

The combined cost for the course and test should be a maximum of $30, Gadula said. If service clubs are willing to deliver it, there may be no associated costs, he suggested.

"In this case, there are no dollars going to any level of government for this," he said. "In the public consultations, people said, 'We don't need it like car licensing.' This is kind of a compromise."

Mike Stilwell, who instructs advanced boating courses with Sail North, said he is "absolutely" in favor of such safety measures.

"Are they going overboard? No. It's a very minimal type of process that they're looking at," Stilwell said. "It's a safety awareness program more than anything else ... I think people should embrace it."

However, Stilwell contended that restrictions should be based on skill, not age.

There will be an opportunity for public comment on any changes to boating regulations before they become law, Gadula noted.