Yellowknife (July 25/03) - The onus is being placed on boaters to avoid accidents with float planes on the bays surrounding Old Town.

Transport Canada and the Fisheries and Oceans Coast Guard have created posters and flyers that say, "boaters be aware aircraft share these waters," then list seven points for boaters to remember.

Among the seven points, the posters and flyers inform boaters that Back and East (Yellowknife) bays are aerodromes and that aircrafts have the right of way.

This information is the result of a Transport Canada-hosted city hall meeting held last June. During the meeting, boaters and float plane operators said they wanted education regarding safety on the bays.

Cathy Allooloo of Narwal Paddling Adventures attended the meeting in June and said she doesn't agree with the wording of the fourth and fifth points on the flyers and posters, which say "Check for the flashing beacon on Pilot's Monument. The flashing beacon signals an aircraft is about to land; be prepared to move out of its way."

"I am concerned that the wording may leave boaters thinking the beacon will always go off when a plane is landing," said Allooloo.

Allooloo pointed out pilots are not required to make the beacon by Pilot's Monument blink, but some do it as a courtesy.

The beacon blinks when a pilot switches to a particular frequency and keys their mike three times.

"I just don't want boaters to rely on that beacon to their detriment," said Allooloo.

Teri Arychuk, vice president of operations at Air Tindi, said it is standard procedure for pilots working for her company and others she's aware of, to activate the beacon when they are landing or taking off.

But Arychuk said boaters shouldn't completely rely on the beacon.

"It's just like crossing the street. You always look both ways even if the light tells you to walk," said Arychuk.

Wayne Woloshyn, Transport Canada regional manager for the Prairie and Northern region, said he believes pilots are already using the beacon and regulations forcing them to use it aren't necessary.

Woloshyn said he understood from the June meeting that no one wanted any new regulations for the Bays, but did want the pilot's monument beacon serviced to make it more reliable.

"We've contacted Nav Canada and they're going to reset the beacon. I understand it's been going off inadvertently," said Woloshyn. Beth Clarke, a Nav Canada communications officer, said Transport Canada officials have informally told Nav Canada about problems with the beacon. Clarke said Nav Canada will be following up with Transport Canada to determine when the beacon will be serviced and who will service it.

Clarke said the beacon was installed by Transport Canada in the 1980s, but in the past Nav Canada has done maintenance work on it.

"Boaters beware" posters warn:

- Back and East Bays are aerodromes.

- Aircraft landing or taking off have the right of way.

- Watch for aircraft anytime you are out on the water.

- Check for the flashing beacon on Pilot's Monument.

- The flashing beacon signals an aircraft is about to land; be prepared to move out of its way.

- Safety is a shared responsibility.