Boaters worried about planned station closure

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – With lots of sunshine today, hitting the water is the perfect way to enjoy this long weekend. But some local boaters are concerned for their safety.

The concerns come after the federal government announced that the Coast Guard plans to close three of five marine communications centres in BC. One of those centres is the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station and means rescues will have to be coordinated out of Sea Island at YVR.

Michael Billing spent the morning on the water and tells News1130 he’s shocked by the closure.
“We’re talking about lives, saving lives. With all the government spending they could be doing, I mean really? It’s so busy here.”

Sea Island is 17 nautical miles away from Vanier Park where Billing says most of Vancouver’s recreational boaters are concentrated.

If you’re planning on heading out on the water, Boat Smart Canada wants you to stay safe.

Every year, about 100 Canadians die in boating mishaps.

Boat Smart’s Cameron Taylor says the most important piece of safety equipment is an approved Personal Floatation Devise or life jacket for each person on board.

“Statistics show that more than 80 per cent of boating drownings could have been prevented if the people involved had been wearing a PFD or life jacket. It’s vital to actually wear those life jackets while out on the boat,” stresses Taylor.

He adds it’s also important to make sure you have the knowledge to boat safely.

“Making sure you understand navigation rules, who has the right of way, and how to navigate amongst that boat traffic that will be out there.”

A steady stream of people attending the Vanier Park boat launch had nothing but concern about the plans to consolidate coastguard rescue operations at Sea Island.

“Particularly for special events like the fire works, when you get thousands of boats out there, if they’re talking 17 nautical mile response, it’s just crazy,” says Jim Mortlock, who kayaks in the area.

“I think it’s kind of stupid,” exclaims Paul Syvest, another kayaker. “You can sit in Ottawa and make stupid decisions instead of talk to people out here.”

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