While boats are ingeniously engineered to stay afloat, they can capsize or sink if enough water gets in. Adverse weather conditions in particular can cause water to accumulate inside a boat and threaten its seaworthiness. That’s why it’s important to always have a bailer, manual water pump or bilge pump on hand to bail you Read more ›
Running aground is one of the most common types of boating accidents. While it can be difficult to avoid entirely, given the changeable nature of the underwater environment, there are things you can do to minimize your risk of running aground and steps you can take to try to free your boat if it does Read more ›
A radar reflector is a useful device that can help prevent large and small vessels from colliding on the water, particularly in adverse conditions. But what exactly is a radar reflector? How does it work? Is it required on all vessels? Find out the answers to all of these questions and more in this article Read more ›
A magnetic compass contains a magnetic element that, when allowed to float freely, will align itself in a north-south direction, pointing towards the earth’s magnetic poles. It is a reliable way of determining direction that doesn’t require power of any kind or the ability to see land, the sun or the stars. It gives boaters Read more ›
Diving flags are markers used to indicate to other vessels when diving activities are in progress. Using diving flags correctly is vital for the safety of the divers, as other boaters can easily overlook individuals in the water, particularly in choppy or low-visibility conditions. Here are the two most commonly used diving flags, what they Read more ›
Environment Canada provides a marine forecasting service for boaters to help them make informed decisions about their safety on the water. The forecasts include information about wave height, visibility, freezing spray and marine winds. When conditions may prove hazardous for boaters, Environment Canada adds warnings to its forecasts. There are four levels of wind warnings Read more ›
Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in core body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold. Normally, our body temperature remains around 37°C. A drop of just a few degrees can seriously affect the body, and a more significant drop can prove lethal. Because immersion in cold water lowers body temperature 25 times faster than air, Read more ›
Fire is probably not the first hazard you think of when considering boating safety. Although boats are usually surrounded by water, that does not make them immune to flame. There are various devices and materials aboard vessels that can cause fires, so proper safety precautions must be taken to ensure that any fires that occur Read more ›
A buoyant heaving line is a floating rope that can be thrown overboard to assist a person in the water who is in distress. A soft floating object is attached to one end of the buoyant heaving line to help it float and to act as a weight so that it can be thrown more Read more ›
There are laws in place that govern the behaviour of pleasure craft operators on Canadian waters. Their purpose is to keep waterways safe for everyone who uses them. Boaters who contravene these laws may find themselves facing fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the infraction. In this article, Drive a Boat Canada presents Read more ›
