8 www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Summer 2023 Boating Interest and Sales In 2022, we saw a moderation in the growing interest in boating. Transport Canada saw a huge surge in applications for Pleasure Craft Licenses (PCL) and Pleasure Craft Operator Cards (PCOC) in 2020 that continued into 2021. And while we are still seeing strong growth continue, it is at a rate more like the pre-pandemic levels. 2019 2020 2021 2022 PCL 111,755 141,798 155,731 133,289 PCOC 145,254 251,992 198,292 144,795 Inquiries 2077 3692 4799 3585 As for supply chains, these improved but still were not seamless in 2022. The National Marine Manufacturers Association in the US reported that for the first time since before the pandemic, inventories in the more affordable vessels grew. High-end product remained scarce. It will take longer for normalization in Canada, with the economic climate and possible recession playing a part. In Canada last year, new and used vessel sales totalled 101,000 (41,000 and 60,000 respectively). This is down from 113,000 in 2020 and 122,000 in 2021 but still above the numbers going back to 2014. Overall, new sales were down 12 per cent, while the used market was hit with a 20 per cent drop in sales. Every category went down, with the exception of new jetboats. Used sterndrive boats were hit hardest. Source: State of the Canadian Recreational Boating Industry, NMMA Canada By Andrew Hurlbut, Chair, Boating, Safety, and Emergencies Committee The State of Boating: Sales and Safety BOATING AND SAFETY 47 46 41 38 37 39 41 39 41 47 41 59 58 55 60 60 58 59 59 72 75 60 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thousands Canada New vs Pre-owned Sales Retail Pre-owned Boating Safety Unfortunately, in 2022 we saw 29 fatalities. This was the third-worst year out of the last 12 years. Of the 29 fatalities, 28 were male, and 27 (or 93 per cent) were not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD). Over the last 12 years, the average percentage of the fatalities not wearing lifejackets was 87.6 per cent. Capsizing was the cause of 13 fatalities, nine fell overboard, and five were a result of some type of collision. In most of these types of incidents you will not have time to find and put on a PFD. And even if you did find one – have you ever tried to put one on in the water? Don’t tempt fate – you and your loved ones are safest wearing a PFD at all times when you’re in a vessel. Vessel type 19 19 21 18 18 20 23 22 13 29 24 27 22 22 23 20 18 23 31 24 18 32 27 29 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Marine Fatalities Persons killed No lifejacket or PFD Used 11 Year Average 87% No Lifejackets 260 226
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