With many people taking to the water now that warmer weather is here, Parks Canada safety staff are reminding boaters and floaters to make sure they have the proper safety equipment when heading out to the rivers and lakes.

Joe Storms, park warden, said that the Canada Shipping Act (CSA) is the governing body of legislation that oversees boating related rules and regulations. About ten years ago, the Act was “cleaned up” and some changes to boating regulations were made.

Small vessel regulations, which govern pleasure crafts and recreational boating, went through some changes about a year-and-a-half ago, but Storms said that equipment requirements remain the same. Boaters with engines on their vessels also require a pleasure craft operator card.

“In Jasper we don’t permit gas powered motors, but we do have electric powered motors and that (rule) does apply to electric powered motors,” he said. “If you have an electric motor, then you have to have your small vessel operator card.”

Dinghies, small rafts, canoes and kayaks don’t need the card, but Storms said that Parks staff have been seeing an increase in what he calls “pool toys” (dinghies and rafts) on the water.

“A classic example is the Miette River. We have seen a lot of use on the Miette where people are putting in, floating and taking out at Highway 16 and Miette bridge,” said Storms. “When you pick up an inflatable raft or any of those other devices, once you throw it on to the water and use it for navigating, it now becomes controlled under the small vessel regulations.”

Storms said that this means users of these types of devices require a Personal Floatation Device (PFD). Also required is a sound signal device, like a whistle.

“The other requirement is a buoyant heaving line,” said Storms. “This could be a coil of rope, that has to be 15 metres, but more commonly you see a throw bag [and they are] not very expensive. Those are the minimum requirements to navigate your pool toy down the river.”

Storms said that when operating in the evening, or in low light, boaters also need flashlights and a navigation device.

“We have been seeing a lot of these types of activities going on (floating down the rivers) where people are not properly equipped with the minimum safety equipment,” he said. “We have the authority, under the CSA small vessel regulations, to pull people off the water and we can prevent them from going on the water until they properly equip their vessels.”

A person can be charged under the CSA, Storms said, and the minimum charge requires a court appearance in Alberta. He added that it would be up to a judge to determine the fine, but maximum fines can go as high as $10,000.

Storms said Park Wardens have been out conducting shoreline patrols and are actively doing boating patrols and general checks to make sure that boaters have at least the minimum safety equipment and licenses for their type of vessel. 

“The other big thing is alcohol,” he said. “Consuming alcohol in the public is not permitted in Alberta.”

A liquor ticket of $115 can be issued on the spot, according to Storms. 

Rupert Wedgewood is a visitor safety specialist with resource conservation at Parks Canada. He works in search and rescue within the visitor safety program. He said there are a number of ways people can get into trouble on the water and for that reason Parks Canada has a highly trained search and rescue team that requires a variety of skill sets to deal with water rescue.

“We have about 10 people that we train up to a technician level,” he said. 

Wedgewood said that there are many different water hazards that people should be aware of, including water temperature.

“The water (around here) is between four and eight degrees,” he said. “People underestimate how totally debilitating that can be. If you fall into cold water, you only have a minute to get your breathing under control. If you can’t control your breathing, it will mean that you’ll lose control of the situation very quickly.”

Wedgewood said that 43 per cent of all water fatalities happen within two metres of safety.

Other hazards in the area include slippery rocks – the quartzite located at many of the area waterfalls can be very slippery – river rapids, which are dependant on the time of year and time of day, increase in river heights and forest debris within the rivers.

“You have to be prepared for all of that,” he said. “And the process can start at home. If you’re standing in knee- deep water without having even thought about being in the water, it’s probably too late.”

Wedgewood said it’s a good idea to start planning outdoor trips before even entering the front or backcountry, or the rivers and lakes.

Water conditions and trip planning information can be found at the Jasper information centre, by calling 780-852-6155 to speak with a specialist, or by visiting the Parks Canada website at www.pc.gc.ca

Visitor safety specialists can be seen throughout the park, and their comprehensive training program has already started for the season. Wedgewood co-ordinates  visitor safety training, and Storms is a search and rescue technician that also teaches the instruction program.