Working Together to Promote Boating Safety in Atlantic Canada

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Introducing the Panel

• Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety

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• Canadian Coast Guard, Inshore Rescue Boat Program

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• Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, Marine Unit

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Some Information on Who I am

• Sean Fitzpatrick - The new Manager for the Office of Boating Safety (OBS) for the Atlantic Region
• Have been in Government for just over five months
• Came from private industry
• Previously managed and instructed for two Safety and Survival Training Schools
• Actively learning about the recreational boating community

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What is the role of Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety (OBS)?

• OBS oversees regulations, standards, policies, and technical services for recreational vessels and operator competency.
• The Office promotes and encourages safe boating practices across Canada.
• Responsible for the management of the Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Program, Pleasure Craft Licensing, and Vessel Operation Restrictions.

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What is the role of Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety (OBS)?

• Assist with the Boating Safety Contribution Program which provides funding to assist organizations to promote boating safety or conduct research.
• Provide regulatory-based training to enforcement agencies to increase the awareness of officers’ authority and powers when conducting marine enforcement activities.

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CCG Inshore Rescue Boat Program Student Program

The Canadian Coast Guard hires and trains candidates each summer to become members of an Inshore Rescue Boat crew. Students gain:

• Rewarding real-world experience in delivering on-water search and rescue while working with multiple local agencies
• Proficiency in operating a Fast Rescue Craft (FRC)
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership roles.

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• Video: Best Student Summer Job – YouTube

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CCG Inshore Rescue Boat Program Student Program

Responsibilities and duties

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• Respond and provide assistance to mariners in distress or need of assistance, including:
• Vessels that are: on fire, disabled, aground, capsized, broken down, lost in the fog, taking on water
• Person overboard
• Medical emergencies

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CCG Inshore Rescue Boat Program Student Program

Inshore Rescue Boat crews also provide public education on boating safety topics such as:

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• Hypothermia, rules of navigation, personal watercraft use, personal floatation devices, pleasure craft courtesy checks, boating restrictions and regulations, required safety equipment aboard a vessel, proposed changes to the required equipment

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Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC), Marine Unit

Eight member Marine Unit utilizing a 29ft Mercury Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) with twin 200 hp Mercury Engines.

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The role of the RNC Marine Unit is to:

• Assist the Canadian Coast Guard in search and rescue operations.
• Enforcement with Fisheries and Oceans.
• Assist Tactics and Rescue Unit.
• Enforcement of the legislation surrounding the food fishery with representatives of Transport Canada.

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Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC), Marine Unit

The RNC are responsible for all investigations which occur at, or near, the shoreline and originate from the adjacent land mass policed by the RNC.

The RNC also has inland water marine capabilities in St. John’s, Corner Brook, Labrador City and Churchill Falls, either with RNC assets or assistance from the Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association.

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Youth Educational Outreach

• OBS in NL has been working with youth and schools for over 20 years.
• Having a positive impact on today’s youth will help create a safety culture and positively impact tomorrow’s young adults.
• We believe that, by working with schools, we will have a positive impact on youth by increasing the awareness and understanding of the knowledge, skills and equipment necessary for a safe and responsible boating culture.

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Youth Educational Outreach

• Increased boating safety awareness among families through school/youth involvement.
• Delivery of the boating safety message to students across the province from K – 12
• Pukta Colouring Book and Video.
• Canoe and Small Craft Safety Program

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School Presentations from 2021 to 2023

2021

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• 2 virtual Highschool OHS presentations (30 Students)
• 16 virtual presentations to primary students - 1 presentation delivered to a school in an Indigenous Community in Labrador (204 Students)
• Total reach 234 Students

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School Presentations from 2021 to 2023

2022

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• 5 virtual Highschool OHS presentations (73 students)
• 1 in person Highschool OHS presentation (15 Students)
• 34 virtual presentations to primary students - reaching 145 classrooms, multiple classes attended each presentation, focused on schools on the Avalon peninsula (2700 Students)
• Total reach 2,788 Students

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School Presentations from 2021 to 2023

2023

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• 6 virtual Highschool OHS presentations (111 Students)
• 5 in person Highschool OHS presentations (120 Students)
• 14 in person presentations to primary students.  8 of these in person presentations were delivered to the Innu school (MTIE) in Sheshatshiu  (172 Students)
• 45 requests from primary teachers to access our video and resources - to provide teacher guided boating safety class sessions (797 Students)
• Total reach 1200 Students

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Thank you

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Questions?

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