��why not aiming at 100% compliance ? ��CSBC Annual symposium�Mont-Tremblant

André M. Benoît

Navigation Safety Specialist

Sept 14h, 2022

“On the water, we are a community”:�

Material

• Boats
• Safety equipments

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Legal background

• Small vessels regulations
• Collision regulations
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Human

• Attitude
• Behavior

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SAIL CANADA & VOILE QUEBEC

Our affiliation with Sail Canada

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• In Canada, Sail Canada is the sole regulator of sailing education, instructor competency management and even the certification of competition officials in accordance with World Sailing rules.

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• Sail Canada is recognised by the Canadian government as a national boating association.

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• The Fédération de voile du Québec (also known as Voile Québec) is mandated to act as a certification agent on behalf of Sail Canada.

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Certification programs

Keelboat and cruising

• Four certification levels : from elementary on sheltered waters to advance offshore ocean sailing ;

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CANsail dinghy

• Six certification levels : Junior sailing from age 6 to 18;

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• CANSail Programs are provided locally by clubs and schools across Canada, with a goal of fostering performance in sailing and lifelong participation in the sport.

Certification programs

Competition

• At CANsail levels 4 and 5, Sailors participate in one to two-days local regatta ;

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• At CANsail level 6, Sailors participate in regional or provincial regatta ;

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Long Term Sailing Development

• Winning performances at major national or international events.

Certification programs

Race management program for officials

• Judge, umpire –

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• The program includes four levels: two level certifications awarded provincially and the higher two awarded nationally. 

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Instructors and coaches

• Certification for each level of training.
• Instructor’s certification renewed every 5 years.

Sailing schools and clubs

The legal status:

• Private, partnerships or moral persons (profit or non-profit organizations).

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Special legal characteristics as recreational schools

• The 2001 Canada shiping Act clarified the status of a pleasure boat and a small commercial vessel ;

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• Although boats used by recreational boating schools are normaly built for pleasure boating, they are classified as small commercial vessels (passenger boats).

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• The safety requirements for commercial boats are much more rigourous (captain’s qualifications and safety equipements).

Special regulatory flexibilities: �The Standard for recreational Boating Schools (TP 15136-2014)

• For the purpose of on the water training of recreational boaters (sail and power boats) ;

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A strong commitment to Boating Safety

• Each school must meet the Standard’s requirements ;

(ex. Instructors/skippers must be certified by a national association in accordance with the academic program)

and

• To enrol in the Small Vessel Compliance Program.

The legislator’s message

The fundamental message of the legislator to Sail Canada and to all our programs managers, is: 

• As a national recreational boating association, considering the great rigour of your programs and practices, you have my confidence and I grant you the privilege of applying certain regulatory flexibilities.

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Implementation timeline

2014

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• The Standard for recreational boating school was first presented ;

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• At that time, the cruising keel boats schools were the priority.

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2018-2019

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• Development of a strong partnership with Office of Boating Safety and Marine Safety & Security.

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Implementation timeline

Fall 2019

Launching of a provincial program for all clubs and schools:

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Target: 100% compliance

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Justification:

We teach recreational boating ;

We are a boating-safety-driven organization;

Our schools must be exemplary.

The results and feed-back

The enthusiasts

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• « Count me in… as soon as possible!» ;

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• Enrolment within a few weeks ;

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• Proud to be fully compliant.

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« Willing Club »

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The results and feed-back

The undecided

• “A greate program, I am in favor of it, but…”
• “I am not ready yet, but…”
• “Get back to me, but not now…”

« Yes but…Club »

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The results and feed-back

The resistants (not activists)

• « Too many goverment regulations… »
• « Too much bureaucracy… »
• « We are safe, and we always have been… »
• « Waste of time… »

« Freedom Club »

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“On the water, we are a community”:�Our challenge to promote safe boating?

Material

• Boats
• Safety equipments

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Legal background

• Small vessels regulations
• Collision regulations
• +++

Human

• Attitude
• Behavior

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We all are on the same boat,

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We all have the same challenge,

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À la prochaine …

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Thank you!

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André