Boat Launches and Water Access Points 

The Municipal boat launches and water access points are governed by a set of rules set-forth in By-law 2020-09 (pdf 331kb) as amended and should be referred to for any site-specific rules. Contravention to this By-law could lead to a substantial fine.

Boat Safety

As spring rolls around, it is a good time to check that each boat has the safety equipment required by law.
Listed below are some quick checks you can make:

Personal Water Craft (PWC)

If every person on board a personal watercraft is wearing a lifejacket or a PFD of an appropriate size, you are only required to carry:

• A sound-signalling device;
• A watertight flashlight or three pyrotechnic distress signals other than smoke signals;
• A magnetic compass if the personal watercraft is navigated out of sight of navigation marks; and
• Navigation lights if the watercraft is used after sunset or before sunrise or in fog or rain.

For Larger Boats:

• If you drive a boat with an engine, be sure to have your boater card, PCOC, with you.
• One PFD or lifejacket for each person on board,
• One buoyant heaving line 15 m (50 feet). AND boats 6m to 9m may have; boats 9m to 12m must have: one lifebuoy attached to a buoyant line at least 15 m (49' 3") long,
•  One sound signalling device,
• Manual propelling device (paddle) OR anchor and 15 m (50 feet) rode. Boats 9m to 12m must have at least 30m (100 ft) of rode,
• One watertight flashlight and/or flares: Boats less than 6m with an engine - a watertight flashlight OR 3 flares; boats 6m to 9m, one watertight flashlight AND 6 flares; boats 9m to 12m a watertight flashlight AND 12 flares not more than 6 are type D. 
• One bailer OR manual bilge pump

• A reboarding device is needed if the boat has more than 0.5m (20 inches) freeboard.
• Navigation lights are required if you operate the boat after sunset, before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.)
• Fire extinguishers: boats up to 6m, one 5BC fire extinguisher if the boat is equipped with an inboard engine, a fixed fuel tank of any size, or a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance; boats 6m to 9m, one 5BC fire extinguisher if equipped with a motor AND one 5BC fire extinguisher if equipped with a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance; boats 9m to 12m, same but must be 10BC fire extinguisher.
• A compass and radar reflector can be necessary.