GBA Update Fall 2024

Boating 2023 BOATING

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

I nterest in boating is still booming, and all indications point to that continuing for a long time. It may be slower than during the pandemic spike - but it's still growing.

but only 3 per cent of them were impaired. Over the past nine years, falling overboard accounted for 43.3 per cent of deaths, while capsizing caused 39.3 per cent of deaths. Collisions were responsible for only 7.96 per cent of deaths.

Ontario 2023

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Marine Fatalities – 13 years Lifejacket/PFD Status

Pleasure Craft Licenses (PCL) Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) Office of Boating Safety (OBS) Inquiries

111755 147798 155731 133289 126697 56953

145254 251992 198292 144795 158413 67657

32

31

29

27

312

24

23

23

22 22 23

20

2077 3692 4799 3585 2951

18

18

As of December 1, 2023, there were approximately 2.9 million outstanding Pleasure Craft Licenses in Canada, with approximately 1.3 million in Ontario alone. The waterways are already crowded, and the numbers will only increase. The OPP Ontario is a vast province, and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is responsible for patrolling, ensuring safety, and enforcing laws on over 99,000 square kilometres of water, including Georgian Bay. Their fleet of vessels is often compared to a small navy, with good reason, considering the size and scope of their responsibilities. The OPP fleet comprises 152 vessels that range in length from 14 to 38 feet. They also have a fleet of 17 boats specifically designed for training the OPP and other agencies, a unique feature of the OPP, as no other police force in Canada has such a comprehensive training program. The OPP has 378 marine officers responsible for carrying out their duties on the water. What is happening on the water? Looking back at marine fatalities over the past decade, some findings may surprise you. The most significant factor is that 87 per cent of all marine fatalities occurred because the victim was not wearing a life jacket. Moreover, 92 per cent of these fatalities were male. Many of these accidents happened between noon and 6 p.m., accounting for 43 per cent of the total fatalities. The age factor is also significant – the highest number of fatalities was in the 55 to 64 age group, comprising 20 per cent of all deaths, followed by the 25-34 age group, with 18 per cent. Youth is not the problem. Vessel size is a critical factor, with 87 per cent of deaths occurring in vessels six metres or less. Motorized vessels account for 37 per cent of deaths, canoes for 26 per cent, kayaks 10 per cent, personal watercraft 6 per cent, and stand-up paddleboards 3 per cent. In 31 per cent of fatalities, alcohol or drugs were in evidence,

73.90% 17

86.36% 19

86.36% 19

91.30% 21

90.00% 18

100.00% 18

86.96% 20

74.19% 23

91.67% 22

72.22% 13

90.63% 29

93.10% 27

88.89% 24

270

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

2023 YTD

Persons killed No lifejacket or PFD Used

Twenty-two fatal incidents caused 23 deaths last year. However, fatalities this year were the second-lowest since 2016. Out of 22 incidents, 17 people were not wearing life jackets - a number that shows progress but leaves lots of room for improvement. The causes of these incidents were falls overboard (12), capsizing (9), and collisions (2). All but one of the incidents involved vessels measuring six metres or less.

2023 Marine Fatals – OPP Waterways 22 Incidents – 23 Fatalities

Vessel Size 6m or Under – 21 incidents Over 6m - 1 incident

Vessel Type Canoe – 3 Kayak – 4 Motorboat – 9 Pontoon – 1

Contributing Factor Capsize - 9 Collison with vessel - 2 Fall Overboard - 11

PWC – 3 Row – 1 SUP - 1

While the number of marine charges under the Canada Shipping Act increased from 1,526 to 1,729, there was a decrease in liquor-related numbers. The OPP conducted 437 approved screening device tests, up from 426. Despite more stops and tests, the number of impaired incidents (blood alcohol > 80 mg/100 mL) dropped from 38 to 34. The number of licence suspensions for boat operators in the warn range (between 50 and 80 mg/100 mL) also decreased from 68 to 63. Liquor Licence Control Act offences fell to 759 from 797,

www.georgianbay.ca

GBA UPDATE Spring 2024

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