Updated May 2024
We are a Lake Community and as we enjoy the use of our Lakes, it is important to remember our boating responsibilities and etiquette.
Follow the Safe Boating Guide and obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card .
Safety First
Wear Your Lifejacket
Over 80% of Canadians who drown while boating were not wearing their lifejacket or not wearing it properly. There are so many choices for lifejackets / personal floatation devices. Pick one that you are comfortable wearing all the time when you are on the water.
Boat Sober
Whether it’s prescription drugs, alcohol or cannabis, the use of intoxicants is both irresponsible and illegal. In some provinces, being convicted of impaired operation will also affect your automobile license.
Get Educated – Take a Boating Course
If you are operating a powered recreational vessel, you should have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card or some other proof of competency. Also, consider taking some advanced courses as there is no substitute for on water training.
Be Prepared, You and Your Vessel
Make sure you and your boat are up to your planned on-water activities. That means you are knowledgeable about your lake, your boat, required onboard safety equipment and the weather.
Be Cold Water Safe
Cold water can severely impact your ability to swim or even just stay afloat. Even the best swimmers will feel the effects of a sudden cold-water immersion. No matter your swimming ability, best chance of surviving an accidental cold-water immersion is to wear your lifejacket!
The KLCOA has prepared a Boating Code of Conduct with some common-sense guidance for safe boating on our lakes
Download a copy of the Boating Code of Conduct HERE.
Motorboats, Shallow Water and Shorelines – Plane Don’t Plow!
Studies have concluded that wakes from boats can cause habitat destruction of plants, fish and wildlife. The loss of surface and submerged aquatic plants affects the stability of the lake bottom, increases algae growth and deprives fish and wildlife species of nutrients. Boat wakes create turbidity that inhibits light available to underwater plant life. Wakes also have a negative effect on fish activities including feeding and spawning.
For additional information on the impact of boat wakes review Watching your wake
Download a copy of Watching Your Wake HERE
Obey the Law
Wakes near shorelines cause erosion, loss of plant growth and harm to shallow water fish species and the habitat that shoreline wildlife rely upon. Thus, the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has imposed a speed limit of 10 kilometres an hour within 30 metres of the shoreline of all navigable waters in Canada.
Care for the Environment
Pursuant to the DFO regulation and to help preserve and enhance our lakes ecosystem, the KLCOA reminds boaters to go slow in environmentally sensitive areas of the lakes. Please be guided by this advice when boating in shallow waters and near all shorelines.