JULY 2014 BUCKSHOT LAKE COTTAGERS’ ASSOCIATION INFO NEWSLETTER CONTENTS Boating Safety Boating Etiquette Don’t Cruise With Booze Impact Of Your Boat Wake How To Be Wake Wise Contact Information Background This second INFO Newsletter contains information about water safety, boating etiquette and the effects of boat wake on Buckshot Lake property owners. Some Association members have expressed concerns to the Executive regarding the need for all of us to revisit the rules and procedures meant to provide for the safe enjoyment of water activities and water sports. One of the functions of your Executive is to provide this kind of information for the benefit of the BLCA membership. NOTE: This Newsletter follows a first INFO Newsletter which focused on the By-laws of both municipalities – the Townships of North Frontenac and Addington-Highlands. The first INFO Newsletter was sent to the membership on June 9. REMINDER – THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY JULY 13 AT THE CLARMILL HALL ON BUCKSHOT LAKE ROAD IN PLEVNA – MEETING TIME IS 10 AM. THE MEETING WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BBQ. THOSE WHO CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING CAN STILL SHOW UP FOR THE BBQ WHICH WILL START AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT INTEREST IN HOLDING A YARD SALE AS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED? THE AGM WILL FEATURE A WORKSHOP ON FIRE PREVENTION AND A PRESENTATION BY A BELL MOBILITY AGENT REGARDING THE CELL & INTERNET SERVICE WHICH WILL BE ROLLED OUT IN JULY Rolly Montpellier President [email protected]. 1 JULY 2014 BUCKSHOT LAKE COTTAGERS’ ASSOCIATION INFO NEWSLETTER BOATING ON BUCKSHOT LAKE Most of us with our pleasure craft licence studied specific rules of the water geared to safe & responsible boating; most of us are familiar with general boat safety & etiquette. However, we may not be as familiar with the impact of our boating practices and boat wake. Boating Safety When choosing a safe speed, consider: The visibility conditions (fog, mist, rain and darkness) and your ability to see ahead The wind, water conditions and current The maneuverability of your boat The traffic density, types of vessels in the area and their proximity The proximity of any hazards (rocks, and tree stumps) Boating Etiquette Watch Your Speed close to docks, the shoreline and especially in narrows, shallow areas and in bays Consider the effects your boat’s wake might create and help prevent damage to other boats, docks and the shoreline. Consider other users of the lake such as swimmers, kayakers, canoeists and people out fishing. Don't Cruise with Booze Drinking too much and taking to the water leads to dangerous situations. When you drink and boat you are not just a danger to yourself. Operators are responsible for the safety of their guests and should consider other users of the lake. Besides the possible legal consequences, mixing alcohol and boating is far more dangerous than you may realize. Fatigue, sun, wind and the motion of the boat dull your senses. Alcohol intensifies these effects, leaving you with poorer fine motor skills. Drinking and driving is illegal and punishable under the Criminal Code. Convictions for a first offence can result in heavy punishment: penalties are no less than $600, prohibition from operating a vessel could be up to three years. 2 JULY 2014 BUCKSHOT LAKE COTTAGERS’ ASSOCIATION INFO NEWSLETTER Impact of your Boat Wake The larger the wake, the greater the potential for undesirable side effects. Loons & other birds that nest along the shore choose locations that are protected from waves generated by the prevailing winds. However, boat wake, which can come from any direction, can & does drown the nests & the young, particularly in May & June. Inexperienced swimmers & young children are not usually in the water when wind driven waves are high. However, they can be toppled by the size & energy of boat wake. Boat wake & prop wash can churn up sediments in shallow water which releases dormant nutrients that promote weed growth & algal blooms. Boat wake can cause erosion. Boat wake can cause docks & moored boats to rock severely & pull mooring hardware. How You can be Wake Wise 1. Be aware of the size of your wake during displacement, transition & planing speeds. 2. Position your passengers through-out the boat in order to reduce the time spent in transition speed. 3. Look behind you to see and understand the impact of your wake on shorelines, docks or other structures. Adjust your speed & direction to minimize the impact. 4. Respect the shoreline zone. Reduce your speed to less than 10 km/h within 30 metres of any shore including the narrow channels between islands. 5. Water-ski, tube and wake-board well away from all shorelines. Try to make use of the entire length of the lake. 6. Consider the size of the wake produced when purchasing a new boat. Important Links: Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations - Boating Transport Canada - Marine 3 JULY 2014 BUCKSHOT LAKE COTTAGERS’ ASSOCIATION INFO NEWSLETTER Current Executive Contact Information Rolly Montpellier – President Home: 613.479.2829 [email protected] Jim Bacon – Secretary Home: 613.479.2407 [email protected] Guy Lefebvre Home: 613.830.6184 Cottage: 613.479.0183 [email protected] Paul Asselin - Treasurer Home: 613.692.8625 Cottage: 613.479.9923 [email protected] Bob Haynes – Vice President Cottage: 613.479.2959 [email protected] Lee Norbeck Cottage: 613.479.0389 [email protected] 4
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