COVID-19 Boating safety:

If you go out on the water, take extra precautions to keep yourself & those on board safe, and remember you must continue to physically distance.

In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the use of George Hunt Memorial Wharf is for McDougall residents and ratepayers only. 

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)

• 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.