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.
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Boat Launches and Water Access Points |
Location |
| George Hunt Memorial Wharf | 50 George Hunt Memorial Drive |
| Lorimer Lake Launch (Right-of-Way) | 453 Lorimer Lake Road North |
| Boy Lake Launch | 16 Buttercup Rd/Blue Jay Point Road |
| Mill Lake (Taylor Beach) Launch | 9 Riverview Drive |
| Nine Mile Lake Launch | 40 Nine Mile Lake Road |
| Portage Creek Launch (Mill Lake) | 90 Highway 124 |
| Trout Lake Launch | 16 Trout Lake Road |
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.
NOTE: Lifejacket or PFD must be inherently buoyant.
If PFDs are not worn, there is a much longer list of requirements.
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
AND SOMETIMES:
- 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.
rules for required equipment change from time to time. For up-to-date rules, and rules for smaller or larger boats, please visit the www.boatingsafety.gc.ca website. The Municipality of McDougall supports the resolution for Safe Boating Awareness Week (pdf 263kb).
Also, you should remember it's the law!
Collision Regulations (abridged for small craft)
Rule 6 (c) Every boat shall proceed at a speed that will not adversely affect boats or docks, (or swimmers) being passed.
Rule 6 (d) Where a boater cannot determine that the boat's wake will not adversely affect other boats or docks (or swimmer) boats shall proceed with caution at minimum speed at which the boat can be kept on course. (10 km/6 mph).