GBA 2021 - Summer Update

Vol. 31 No. 2, Summer 2021 Dock Talk...............................................6 Paws for Thought...............................7 GBA: Safety in Numbers......................8 Is Starlink for You?..........................12 Actions Speak Volumes. ...................13 President’s Report.............................14 ED’s Advocacy Report.......................16 Upcoming Events...............................18 News and I nformat i on f rom the Georg i an Bay Assoc i at i on Supporting Climate Action in Our Communities PAGE 4 PAGE 10 PM # 40038178 GBA U P D A T E Your Voice on the Bay Georgian Bay Land Trust: Thirty Years Protecting Nature Continues on page 2 INS IDE : 2020: A Boating Season Like No Other W hat a strange year on the water. COVID-19 delayed the opening of island cottages. Marinas were not considered essential businesses and were delayed in opening. Different municipalities were sending different messages. Our American neighbours and friends were barred from coming into the country. And when the marinas were able to open, social distancing and other protocols made for a very different experience. But the biggest surprise of last summer was the incredible surge in interest in boating and being on or by the water – bringing with it a flood of new and often inexperienced boaters. It was difficult to buy any type of vessel – human powered and motorized alike. With the increased interest in boating, the demand outweighed the supply for boats, engines, parts, trailers, and boating accessories. The OPP reported that they had difficulty finding repair parts last summer, while one marina operator said he was glad that the Toronto Boat Show was virtual as he had no boats to showcase. Boating Ontario believes the high demand for vessels will continue again this summer. Stay Safe Out There There were 32 fatalities in Ontario in 2020, with two fatalities on Georgian Bay. Sadly, this is the highest number of fatalities in the last five years and a 78 per cent increase from 2019. No doubt that the surge in boating interest contributed to this increase. The first and most critical lesson to staying safe on the water is to wear a personal floatation device (PFD). Of deceased victims, 91 per cent were not wearing a PFD. Being a good swimmer will not save you. The second is that cold water awareness is vital. Of the 36 fatalities, 56 per cent occurred in the cold water season, between September 15 145,254 251,992 2019 2020 Number  of  Pleasure  Cra/ Operator  Cards  issued + 73% 119,680 Number  of  Pleasure  Cra/ Licence  applica8ons  in  2020 +53% from  2019 By  the  Numbers 1,567 Liquor-­‐related charges: OPP  Enforce ment  N Imp operaDo 1,778 Marine charges: Marin war 428 Charges: Environmental  protec8on trespassing  infrac W 59 Criminal  code  ch (e.g.  dangerous  boa8 Your Emergency Partners on the Bay ≥ The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) deals with vessels in distress, search and rescue, and medical issues on the water. To learn more, please visit ccg-gcc.gc.ca . ≥ The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre at CCG Trenton can be reached at 1-800- 2 67-7270 or channel 16 on VHF marine radio. Please plug this info into your phone so that it is handy in an emergency. ≥ The OPP non-emergency number is 1-888-310-1122. By Andrew Hurlbut, Chair, GBA Boating, Safety & Emergency Committee