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Hey Canadian Boaters, is this true?
Saw this article on a Great Lakes boating site.
Watertown Daily Times | Know rules for boating in Canadian waters This might be very interesting reading for anyone who enters into Canadian waters with Alcohol... |
Re: Hey Canadian Boaters, is this true?
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Here's a couple of excerpts regarding alcohol & boating in Ontario. -Transporting Alcohol (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario): Under what circumstances is it illegal to transport beverage alcohol? It is illegal to transport beverage alcohol in a motor vehicle, a motorized snow vehicle or a boat unless the beverage alcohol is in a container that is unopened and the seal unbroken, or unless the beverage alcohol is packaged in baggage that is fastened closed or is not otherwise readily available to anyone in the vehicle. In a boat, the beverage alcohol must be stored in a closed compartment. -What boats may carry alcohol (Ontario Liquor Laws Sec.3/7): A boat with permanent sleeping accommodations and permanent cooking and sanitary facilities, other than a boat used to carry passengers for hire, is considered to be a private place while the boat is at anchor or is secured to the dock or land. ... The rules are no open alcohol while underway. You must be anchored / beached and have sleeping, cooking & toilet facilities on board. As far as i'm concerned if ya wanna boat in our waters, play by our rules. And i would expect the watercops on the south side of the border to do the same. |
Re: Hey Canadian Boaters, is this true?
ShabahZ250: Thanks for the warning!
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No offense intended, Mike, but henceforth I'll do my best to stay out of Canadian waters entirely--even on our 30' sailboat, that would qualify--while on the hook. It's not that The Admiral and I are a pair of drunken sailors, either. My wife doesn't drink alcoholic beverages at all (or so rarely and of such little quantity as it makes no difference), and I never drink while I'm either the skipper or crew and we're either under way or I'm likely to be affected when we're going to be under way, but:
Jim |
Re: Hey Canadian Boaters, is this true?
No question our alcohol rules are somewhat 'Draconian' compared to what occurs on your side of the border. Kinda like our gun rules.:) We dont sell alchohol in grocery stores / gas stations or wherever & the same rules / penalties apply regardless of what type of vehicle is involved so that there is no confusion. I am glad to hear you dont drink while operating your boat. Operating a boat & consuming alcohol simply dont mix and it doesnt matter whether you consider your boat / car / motorcycle/ bicycle / motorhome or whatever as a recreational vehicle or necessary mode of transportation. We are not the 'USA north' > Up here the rules are much tighter & less forgiving and i hear very little crying about it in Canada except from Americans who come here & are surprised that we are different and have different expectations. It's no different whenever you enter another country other than Canada. You are expected to know their rules and abide by them no matter how 'draconian' they seem.
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Re: Hey Canadian Boaters, is this true?
Well said Mikeyt-keep the beer on the pier
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Re: Hey Canadian Boaters, is this true?
That's interesting, and thanks for clarifying this mikeyt! I had no idea about the permanent sanitation and cooking devices exemption. Guess that takes my boat out of the equation...
I have been up to Pelee Island, ONT a few times and usually buy a few bottles of the wine from their winery. I've usually got a few beers in the cooler, and a bottle of rum down below. I always drink on the land, or at the dock, never while underway. It's just interesting to know they actually enforce it! The state/local water enforcement agencies around here are fairly lax. I was boarded a few years ago for a safety check, and there was nothing more than a check box on the form that said "Alcohol on Board". Needless to say, I'm not willing to try and find out if there's any more severe penalties than that! Better safe than sorry! :D |
Re: Hey Canadian Boaters, is this true?
The other thing that the water cops enforce is the equipment requirements which vary with the size of the boat. I think the penalty is $200 for each missing item. Some of the things that are required are:
Rowboat, canoe, kayak up to 6 metres in length (19'8") Life jacket or PDF for each person on board Buoyant heaving line 15 m (50') Reboarding device / ladder Hand-bailer OR bilge pump Sound signalling device Navigation lights [Not required unless operated at night or in restricted visibility.] Magnetic compass [not required within sight of navigation marks] Radar reflector [not required under most day and near-shore use] Over 6 metres: Watertight flashlight, 6 Type A, B, or C flares Personal Watercraft PWC Life jacket or PDF for each person on board Buoyant heaving line 15 m (50') Reboarding device / ladder Manual propelling device (oar) OR anchor with 15 m (50') of rode Hand-bailer OR manual pump Watertight flashlight OR 3 approved Type A, B, or C flares. Sound signalling device Navigation lights [Not required unless operated at night or in restricted visibility.] Magnetic compass [not required within sight of navigation marks] Radar reflector [not required under most day and near-shore use] Class 5BC fire extinguisher Up to 6 metres in length (19'8") Life jacket or PFD for each person on board Buoyant heaving line 15 metres Reboarding device / ladder Manual propelling device OR anchor with 15 m (50') of rode Hand-bailer OR manual pump If equipped with motor: Watertight flashlight OR 3 Type A, B, or C flares Sound signalling device Navigation lights [Not required unless operated at night or in restricted visibility.] Magnetic compass [not required within sight of navigation marks] Radar reflector [not required under most day and near-shore use] Class 5BC fire extinguisher if equipped with inboard engine, fuel tank, fuel-burning stove, fridge or heater. 6 - 9 metres in length (19'8"-29'6") Life jacket or PDF for each person on board Buoyant heaving 15 metres Life buoy attached to buoyant line 15 m (50'). Reboarding device / ladder Manual propelling device (oar) OR anchor with 15 m (50') rode Bailer OR manual pump Watertight flashlight 6 flares: type A, B, or C Sound signalling device Navigation lights [if operated at night or in poor visibility] Magnetic compass [not required within sight of navigation marks] Radar reflector [not required under most day and near-shore use] Class 5BC fire extinguisher if vessel equipped with motor Class 5BC fire extinguisher if fuel-burning stove, fridge, or heater 9 - 12 metres in length (29'6"-39'4") Life jacket or PFD for each person on board Buoyant heaving line 15 m (50') Life buoy attached to buoyant line 15 m (50'). Reboarding device / ladder 1 anchor with 30 m (100') of rode Manual Bilge pump OR bilge pump Watertight flashlight 12* flares of Type A, B, C or D, not more than 6 Type D. Sound signalling device [horn] Navigation lights Magnetic compass Radar reflector [not required under most day and near-shore use] Class 10BC fire extinguisher if vessel equipped with motor Class 10BC fire extinguisher if vessel has fuel-burning heater, stove or refrigerator That said, in 35+ yrs of boating i've only been subjected to a spot search once and from what i understand, most OPP officers will let you off with a warning if it appears that you are trying to comply with all the rules but have some minor infraction. In addition all boaters in Canada are required to be licenced or show proof of competency from their province/state or country. Here's a link to the official Transport Canada website that applies to US boaters entering Canadian waters. Note non-residents do get some breaks. |
Re: Hey Canadian Boaters, is this true?
Just a couple interesting facts: Missouri doesn't have an open container law, meaning it is permissible for passengers in Cars / Trucks to have open containers (and obviously in boats).
How's that for lax. On the other hand there are 'dry counties' that have the same liquor laws on the water as Canada. Such as, Beaver Lake in Arkansas which is only a few miles across the Missouri border. |
Re: Hey Canadian Boaters, is this true?
I ran into the 'dry county' thing when we stopped overnight in Canyon, Texas last summer. It was strange having to get a licence at a local 'private' club just to have a beer...or two. And, then to watch 2 locals do a clandestine exchange of 2 cases of beer between 2 vehicles on the street beside the 'private' club was almost comical. :)
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Re: Hey Canadian Boaters, is this true?
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Wait! It gets better! Oft-times the security at these bars was off-duty cops... in uniform. I actually found it all rather refreshing. But I've been a libertarian all my life, so... Jim |
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