GBA 2023 - Summer Update

Boating Interest and Sales In 2022, we saw a moderation in the growing interest in boating. Transport Canada saw a huge surge in applications for Pleasure Craft Licenses (PCL) and Pleasure Craft Operator Cards (PCOC) in 2020 that continued into 2021. And while we are still seeing strong growth continue, it is at a rate more like the pre-pandemic levels. The State of Boating: Sales and Safety BOATING AND SAFETY As for supply chains, these improved but still were not seamless in 2022. The National Marine Manufacturers Association in the US reported that for the first time since before the pandemic, inventories in the more affordable vessels grew. High-end product remained scarce. It will take longer for normalization in Canada, with the economic climate and possible recession playing a part. In Canada last year, new and used vessel sales totalled 101,000 (41,000 and 60,000 respectively). This is down from 113,000 in 2020 and 122,000 in 2021 but still above the numbers going back to 2014. Overall, new sales were down 12 per cent, while the used market was hit with a 20 per cent drop in sales. Every category went down, with the exception of new jetboats. Used sterndrive boats were hit hardest. 2019 2020 2021 2022 PCL 111,755 141,798 155,731 133,289 145,254 251,992 198,292 144,795 PCOC Inquiries 2077 3692 4799 3585

By Andrew Hurlbut, Chair, Boating, Safety, and Emergencies Committee

Boating Safety Unfortunately, in 2022 we saw 29 fatalities. This was the third-worst year out of the last 12 years. Of the 29 fatalities, 28 were male, and 27 (or 93 per cent) were not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD). Over the last 12 years, the average percentage of the fatalities not wearing lifejackets was 87.6 per cent. Capsizing was the cause of 13 fatalities, nine fell overboard, and five were a result of some type of collision. In most of these types of incidents you will not have time to find and put on a PFD. And even if you did find one – have you ever tried to put one on in the water? Don’t tempt fate – you and your loved ones are safest wearing a PFD at all times when you’re in a vessel.

Marine Fatalities

Persons killed

No lifejacket or PFD Used

260

226

32

31

29

27

24

23

23

22

22

20

18

18

19

19

21

18

18

20

23

22

13

29

24

27

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

11 Year Average 87% No Lifejackets

Canada New vs Pre-owned Sales Retail Pre-owned

Vessel type

140

120

100

75

80

72

59

58

60

59

55

59

60

58

60

60

Thousands

40

47

47

46

41

41

41

41

20

39

39

38

37

0

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Source: State of the Canadian Recreational Boating Industry, NMMA Canada

www.georgianbay.ca

GBA UPDATE Summer 2023

8