Newsletter Alert
The CSBC e-newsletter was originally went on November 7, 2007. However, there may have been a computer glitch and not all subscribers received it; therefore we are re-sending.
For those that are receiving a duplicate copy, we apologize for any inconvenience.
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2007 Annual Symposium Highlights
The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) held their annual Symposium and Annual General Meeting in spectacular Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia.
Over 75 delegates and presenters participated in this three-day event, addressing our consistent messaging about boating in cold water, increasing PFD wear, getting the boating public trained for the pleasure craft operator card, and being alcohol-free while boating.
In addition to the educational content of the conference, delegates enjoyed an opening Thursday night reception, Friday night Pirate theme dinner on the balcony and a reception in the hospitality suite. Highlights on Saturday afternoon included a bus trip to Lunenburg and a sail on the Bluenose II with time to visit the village following the sail.
The Awards presentation took place Saturday during a reception preceding the banquet. The organizing committee, led by Rick Cassels, outdid themselves with a high quality program and enjoyable social events.
Assisting on this year's organizing committee were John Gullick, Mary Ridgewell, Sandra Inglis and Vahe Vassilian.
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John Blaicher took a long dip in a soft tub filled with ice-cold water along with copious quantities of ice.
John instilled in us the 1-10-60 minute rule for snowmobilers falling through ice on their machines.
One minute to get your breathing under control, 10 minutes to get your body out of the water and 60 minutes to get to shelter to warm up and dry off.
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Ted Rankine led an equally chilling session on “Cold Water Boot Camp”.
This session addressed falling into cold water 5 degrees Celsius and below (about 40 degrees Fahrenheit) and the importance of keeping your head above water and wearing a PFD or survival suit.
Both were uncomfortable sessions to watch, witnessing life threatening situations, but absolutely brilliant training.
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In this session, participants (up to 8 per table), discussed various topics. There were lively discussions within the group as well as full participation during the report back.
Discussions notes are outlined below.
Motorized Water Toys
- Are they powered vessels? What standards should they be required to meet?
- Who is responsible for enforcement?
- Definition is a problem and so is enforcement.
- TC should go to top three retailers to address our concerns.
- TC should also contact Health and Welfare Canada about our concerns.
- Children should have a PCOC and PFD on.
- These are the same challenges as in the USA.
- Activities in the USA are the issue not the vessel.
Regional CSBC Offices
Should there be regional CSBCs that parallel the Office of Boating Safety? If so, what are the benefits and how could this effect the national structure of the CSBC and the existing RBACs and CMACs?
- There is value in having a national organization for national issues.
- Should there be an increase activities in the regions to deal with regional issues?
- CSBC should help form local organizations, incorporation and some modest funding.
- Local councils would be open to all.
- CSBC would benefit from board member from each region.
- Northern communities would benefit.
- Travel time and cost would be reduced.
- Regional CSBCs would have exposure to local governments.
- Negatives: organizational complexity, parochial interests, financial issues.
- Comments: Seed money for the regions could be a problem (may need injection of funding to get off ground).
- Complexity might be an issue but an across Canada board might be a good alternative.
- OBS should do more at the regional level to get local organizations involved.
- TC should participate more fully.
PCOC Programme
Has this programme developed safe boaters? Is it realistic to expect all operators of powered vessels to have their cards by September 15, 2009? What opportunities are there and what role can CSBC play? Is the PCOC creating better boaters?
- Education is not as effective as possible. People are cheating.
- There are 149 knowledge statements, but only 35 are tested.
- Data is not complete. Need more.
Is deadline realistic?
- 2 million cards issued – 2 million to go!
- Small percentage will never comply.
What role can CSBC play?
- Promotion, consistent message (couple with PFDs), lobby TC for promotions, SBAW should be more consistent across the country.
- Summary: people are safer because of education.
- Target those at risk – those that don’t see themselves as boaters.
- Hands-on skills testing?
- Basic knowledge test was phase one. Practical testing could be the next phase.
- There was a statement made about the European Union (EU) accepting our PCOC, but this statement from Tony Rice, Secretary General ICOMIA should clarify the situation: "There is no EC wide requirement or specification for boat licenses. It is national business; some require one, others such as UK, NL and Scandinavia do not. For those visiting they should check the specific requirements of that country since most do not care about visitors unless perhaps they are chartering. RYA qualifications are generally well recognized. The User's association, the EBA also promotes the International Certificate of Competence."
CASBA Ceremony
What did you like about this year’s award ceremony?
- Deserving recipients, good networking opportunity, well presented, like the formality of the evening, great venue at the Sheraton during TIBS, categories are appropriate.
What do we want to improve?
- Too long, staging should be more adequate (screens and staging), too many awards, not enough people being nominated, should be pre and post media coverage.
New ideas?
- Upgrade the awards, review the categories, high profile personality as a spokesperson for the CSBC awards, start the awards presentation earlier.
- This will be the 10th Anniversary - past recipients should be invited.
- Need more resources to support CASBA Chair for pre and post media coverage, need a sponsor to subsidize a recipient, find an outside sponsor to fund a specific award.
National Safe Boating Awareness Week
What did you like about this year’s campaign? What did you not like? What new ideas would you suggest for 2008? What worked?
- Good key messaging particularly in central Canada.
What do we need to focus on improving?
- We need to expand the program to be universal across Canada.
- Look at no-cost opportunities to increase partnerships with government and local organizations where infrastructure already exists.
PFD Wear
Has the time now arrived for us to be seeking mandatory PFD wear? If so, under what conditions? (A very popular topic with some 20 participants.)
- Overwhelming consensus that PFDs should be mandatory.
- Enforcement will work.
- Risks under 6 meters, but paddling may have to exceed this length limit.
- If mandatory – 90% compliance would be expected.
- The last 5% to 10% will be a problem with compliance. Enforcement would remedy this. - Wearability: legislation would have to be flexible enough to accommodate technological change.
- Education would have to continue.
- Motion: That CSBC develops a business case to propose legislation for the mandatory wearing of PFDs by boaters in vessels under their control under a certain size based on research while on the water. A show of hands showed general support but was not unanimous.
Can we get past the “It won’t happen to me!” mentality? If so, how?
- Recommended reading: “Survival Psychology” by John Leach and “Human Error” by James Reason, plus “The Tipping Point.”
- Risk is one of the reasons?
- People go through levels of risk management, but accidents happen when they underestimate the risks.
- Yes, we can get past the attitude if we educate and enforce.
- Risk message has to be directed to specific user groups due to regional and activity differences.
- Get the audience engaged.
- Best medium is television, audio and printed media that are not the usual (Chatelaine, Readers Digest).
- Put these messages into school curriculum.
- Peer pressure works – find the leaders.
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CSBC Awards were presented preceding the banquet on Saturday evening. Recipients were:
Ted Rankine, who received the Distinguished Service Citation Award.
The Canadian Coast Guard received a Certificate of Merit award for their outstanding participation in this years North American Safe Boating Awareness Week Campaign. Charlie Gadula accepted the award on behalf of CCG.
The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary also received a Certificate of Merit for their contribution to the NASBAW Campaign. Ted Smith accepted the award.
Randy Whaley presented Barb Byers with a “Kramer” metal sculpture of “The Mentor” recognizing Barb's outstanding leadership as Chair and Past-Chair.
Barb Byers presented a CSBC Milestone Award to Jean Murray for 5 years of service.
Some recipients could not be present and the following awards will de delivered to each recipient by a member of the Board.
Brad Schlorff will receive a Milestone award as a Director of CSBC from 1994-2007 as well as a Distinguished Service Citation.
Ross Johnson was recognized with a Certificate of Service as a Director from 2003-2007.
Lizanne Madigan was recognized with a Certificate of Service for her service on the Board from 2004-2007.
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CSBC could not function throughout the year without our sponsors. Sponsors also play a huge role in supporting and enhancing the quality of our Annual Symposium. This year’s sponsors included:
Gold Sponsors
Canadian Boaters Alliance
Insurance Bureau of Canada
Mustang Survival
The Cook - Rees Memorial Foundation
Transport Canada
Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd.
Silver Sponsors
Atlantic Marine Trade Association
Canadian Marine Manufacturers Association
Canadian Recreational Product
Helly Hansen
Marine Expert
Mercury MarineSalus Marine Wear
Bronze Sponsors
Boater Exam
BOATsmart! Canada
Les Plaisanciers
Watercraft Training Centre
Media Sponsors
Cottage Life
Formula Media Group
Kerrwil Publications
Lifestyle Integrated
Pacific Yachting
Quebec Yachting
Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP)
CPS is in a unique category as CSBC enjoys the tremendous administrative support from their office throughout the year, plus the contributions of volunteers.
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CASBA 2008 is Coming!
Book your hotel room / reserve your tickets
It is time to book your hotel room and reserve your tickets for the CASBA Awards.
The event will take place at the Toronto Sheraton Centre Hotel on Sunday, January 13, 2008.
Book your room at the boat show rate of $75 plus taxes and parking by calling 416.361.1000.
Click here to download the dinner registration form and purchase tickets ($125/plate). |
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Symposium 2008 is Coming!!
Please mark on your calendars for the 2008 Annual Symposium to be held Wednesday September 24 to Friday September 26, 2008 at Viamede Conference Resort & Spa in Peterborough, ON.
Note the format starts and finishes one day earlier than our recent tradition.
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