Emma Levez
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 17/98) - RCMP checked a 36 boats for safety equipment last weekend at Prelude Lake and Yellowknife Bay. Only one carried all they equipment required by law.

"We were expecting low compliance," said Const. Steve Corcoran. "But not this low."

Checks have been done in the past, but this summer the RCMP will place a greater emphasis on boat safety.

"It's going to be a joint effort of territorial and federal agencies," said Corcoran.

For the rest of the summer, boats on all lakes in the Yellowknife area will be spot-checked. Officials hope to enforce the small vessel regulations, which are detailed in the Safety Boating Guide published by the Canadian Coast Guard.

Equipment requirements vary with boat size. To outfit boats up to 5.5 metres with the minimum equipment (life-jackets, paddles, a pump, a fire extinguisher and an air horn), costs about $200 in Yellowknife. The amount for boats up to eight metres (add a life-cushion and flares) would be about $300 and for boats up to 12 metres (add an anchor, a buoy and buoyant line), about $500.

Corcoran said he doesn't expect resistance from the public because of the cost of the safety equipment.

"People were glad to see us on the water last weekend," he said, "We got a very positive reaction from the public."

He maintained that people realized that the rules are enforced for their own safety. "This equipment could save their lives," he pointed out.

If boaters are caught without the required equipment readily available, they could face charges in court. No charges were filed last weekend -- more of an educational approach was taken. As Corcoran indicated, most people who were checked were not aware of the regulations.

"That doesn't mean that we won't charge people in the future." he said.

A focus of this effort will be on life-jackets.

"Ninety per cent of drownings occur because people are not wearing life-jackets," said Corcoran, "They are very important when it comes to boat safety."

In addition, boaters should make sure that their vessels are properly licensed. All watercraft with a motor of 10 horsepower or more must be licensed through Canada Customs. Applications are available at the agency's office located in the Joe Tobie Building.