Boating safety campaign
The Lifesaving Society launched
a national boating safety campaign during the summer of 2009 with
funding from Transport Canada's Boating
Safety Class Contribution Program.
Two posters were distributed throughout
Canada and displayed prominently in every
province, in both large and small communities. The first,
"Cold Water Kills" communicates the need to wear a
lifejacket. The second, "Don't Drink and
Drive" promotes responsible use of alcohol when
boating.
A survey of 1,000 adults designed to measure awareness,
communication effectiveness and impact of the two posters among
boaters, indicated that both effectively communicated their
intended boating safety messages.
Four public service announcements were also produced in
both official languages for airing in 2010.
Our partners in the project included DRAFTFCB, which
donated the poster development costs, and Pattison Outdoor
Advertising, which delivered the lifejacket messages via mall and
street signage. Further support came from the Canadian Safe
Boating Council, MADD Canada and the
LCBO.
If you'd like a poster to display, contact us (while
supplies last).
Get certified, or row your boat
Guess what? The 10 year phase-in period for becoming a certified
motor-boat operator is over. Now, anyone operating a motorized boat
in Canada - regardless of age - must hold a Pleasure Craft Operator
(PCO) card.
Be ready to show your Lifesaving Society PCO card when asked, or
be prepared to pay a minimum $250 fine. Still need to take the
test? You can purchase a Lifesaving Society BOAT Study
Guide and review the questions to prepare to write the test;
alternatively, you and your family can register for a Lifesaving Society BOAT
course. Contact your local participating recreation centre,
YMCA, swim school, camp, college, university or fire hall for
additional information on times and availability.
Don't drink and drive your boat.
Think About It.
Alcohol is a major contributing factor in drowning among men
(51%) especially when powerboating (50%).
Although progress has been made in the reduction of automobile
drinking and driving offences over the past 10 years, incidences of
drinking and driving a boat continue to be common place.
To reduce drinking-and-driving-a-boat behaviour we draw
similarities between the dangers of the two activities: drinking
and driving a car and drinking and driving a boat.
:::
If you'd like a poster to display, contact us (while
supplies last).
BOAT training
Information about the Society's Boat Operator Accredited Training (B.O.A.T.)
and related information is available in the Boating section of
this website.