Nine-year-old Lauren Poduch, from Waterloo, Ontario, died after a collision involving two personal watercraft on a Muskoka lake.

Under federal regulations which came into force April1, it is illegal for anyone under 16 to operate a personal watercraft. The accident occurred on Six Mile Lake, about 40 kilometres west of Gravenhurst.

Police say one personal watercraft was being driven by the nine-year-old girl and she was carrying an 11-year-old passenger. A second machine was being operated by a 14-year-old girl who was carrying a girlfriend the same age.

The two craft collided after "driving side by side in the same direction," but Const. Greg Chinn of the Midland OPP detachment say investigators are still trying to determine how the collision occurred.

Lauren, who suffered serious head injuries in the crash, narrowly escaped drowning after she was knocked unconscious. Two 14-year-olds who were riding on the other Jet Ski kept the younger girl's head above water.

"They saved a life,'' said Const. Greg Chinn of the Midland OPP detachment. "They jumped into the water and held this girl's head out,'' he said. Their calls for help were answered by a vacationing doctor, who treated the girl on shore.

The girl was airlifted to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children from Huronia District Hospital in Midland, leaving behind her 11-year-old passenger, who was treated for arm injuries. The girl's parents held a vigil at a Toronto hospital, but Lauren died a few days later.

Charges couldn't be laid against the girl because she was under 12, but police are attempting to determine who owned the Jet Ski and allowed her to drive it. The fine for letting a minor use a personal watercraft is $250, Chinn said, adding that the 14-year-old driver of the other Jet Ski could be fined $100. A small price to pay for the life of a young girl.

Despite the cutesy names and the thrilling, wind-in-the-hair advertising used to sell personal watercraft, they can be tricky to drive.

For their size they have a tremendous amount of horsepower and accelerate very quickly. Smaller ones have no reverse thrust and -- while they can be turned on a dime by an experienced operator -- novice riders tend to turn off the gas and coast directly into obstacles.

Between seven and nine million people enjoy Canadian waterways each year.

Unfortunately, not every trip is a return trip; over 200 boating fatalities are reported annually - most of them preventable.

Along with the devastating personal loss this represents, the economic effect for all of us is high.

These figures do not include an estimated 6,000 unreported non-fatal incidents every year that involve serious personal injuries, property loss, or the risk of such catastrophes.

As of April 1, 1999

• An operator under 12 years of age and not directly supervised by a person 16 years of age or older can operate a vessel with no more than 10 hp (7.5 KW)

• An operator between 12 years and under 16 years of age, and not directly supervised by a person of 16 years or older can operate a vessel with no more than 40 hp (30 KW)

• An operator 16 years of age or older can operate any vessel.
  

• EVERYONE OPERATING A VESSEL MUST HAVE PROOF OF COMPETENCY

Proof of competency can take 1 of 3 forms:

• Proof of having successfully completed a boating safety course in Canada prior to April 1, 1999;

• A pleasure craft operator card issued following the successful completion of a Canadian Coast Guard accredited test;

• A completed rental-boat safety checklist (for power-driven rental boats).

• GET CERTIFIED AND ENJOY THE WATER!

PERSONAL WATER CRAFT:

1. One Canadian Coast Guard approved PFD or Lifejacket for each person on board

2.One buoyant heaving line of not less than 15 m in length.

3. A watertight flashlight OR 3 Canadian approved flares of Type A, B or C

4. A sound-signalling device/ appliance

5. One manual propelling device OR an anchor with not less than 15 m of cable, rope or chain.

6. One bailer or one manual water pump fitted with or accompanied by sufficient hose to enable a person using the pump to pump water from the bilge of the vessel over the side of the vessel

7. One class 5 fire extinguisher

POWERED PLEASURE CRAFT UP TO 6 M:

All of the above safety equipment is required in addition to:

1. Navigation lights that meet the applicable standards set out in the Collision Regulations if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset and before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

2. One Class 5BC fire extinguisher, if the pleasure craft is equipped with an inboard engine, a fixed fuel tank of any size, or a fuelburning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance.

6 - 8 M POWERED PLEASURE CRAFT: 

*All of the above safety equipment is required in addition to: 

1. One buoyant heaving line of not less than 15 m in length OR one approved lifebuoy with an outside diameter of 610 mm or 762 mm that is attached to a buoyant line of not less than 15 m in length

2. A reboarding device if the freeboard of the vessel is greater than 0.5 m.

3. 6* Canadian approved flares of Type A, B or C

* exempt from carrying pyrotechnic distress signals if, operating in a river, canal or lake in which it can at no time be more than one mile from shore; OR engaged in an official competition or in final preparation for an official competition and has no sleeping arrangements

8 -12 M POWERED PLEASURE CRAFT:

* All of the above safety equipment is required in addition to:

1. One Class 10BC fire extinguisher, if the pleasure craft is a powerdriven vessel, plus another class 10BC fire extinguisher if the pleasure craft is equipped with a fuelburning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance.

2. 12* Canadian approved flares of Type A, B, C or D, not more than 6 of which are of Type D

* exempt from carrying pyrotechnic distress signals if:

- operating in a river, canal or lake in which it can at no time be more than one mile from shore; OR engaged in an official competition

-or in final preparation for an official competition and has no sleeping arrangements.

12 - 20 M POWERED PLEASURE CRAFT: 

1. An anchor with not less than 50 m of cable, rope or chain in any combination

2. Bilge pumping arrangements.

3. One Class 10BC fire extinguisher at each of the following locations:

a) at each access to any space where a fuelburning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance is fitted

b)at the entrance to any accommodation space

c)at the entrance to the engine room space

4. 1 axe

5. 12 Canadian approved flares of Type A, B, C or D, not more than 6 of which are of Type D

6. 2 sound-signalling appliances (bell and whistle)

Port: If a power-driven vessel approaches within this sector, maintain with caution, your course and speed.

Starboard: If any vessel approaches within this sector, stay out of its way. (Note: This rule may not always apply if one or both vessels are sailboats.)

Stern:If any vessel approaches this sector, maintain with caution, your course and speed. The rules of the road in navigation are often similar to the rules on land.  

The Collision Regulations contain many rules pertaining to navigation; however, four rules are basic to navigation.

EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. An EPIRB is a battery-powered emergency transmitter which, when activated, sends a coded signal.

The signal is sent to the Cospas-Sarsat international satellite system, which helps locate people in distress in isolated areas around the globe.

A signal received by the Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System from an EPIRB is considered to be an indication of serious distress and search and rescue authorities in Canada and the U.S will react to the alert in the appropriate manner.

There are 2 types of EPIRB transmitters:

Category I EPIRBs are activated either manually or automatically. The automatic activation is triggered when the EPIRB is released from its bracket. Category 1 EPIRBs are housed in a special bracket equipped with a hydrostatic release. This mechanism releases the EPIRB at a water depth of 3-10 feet. The bouyant EPIRB then floats to the surface and begins transmitting.

If you are planning on taking a long maritime trip and will be out of contact with authorities, it is a good idea to bring an EPIRB;with you to ensure that even in the most remote location, you have a chance of being rescued

The offence of “Careless Operation of a Vessel” has been added to the Small Vessel Regulations.

An operator who is doing any of the following could be charged:

• travelling in a way that could adversely affect the safety of people or property considering the weather, boat traffic, hazards or potential hazards,

• or the number of people around the boat operating a vessel in a careless manner, without consideration for other people

• or for the factors listed immediately above .

Others have been added to the Criminal Code of Canada:

• Operating a vessel dangerously

• Towing water skiers improperly

• Failing to stop at the scene of an accident

Chris Parker, a founder of the Bonefish Grill restaurant chain, went missing in Tampa Bay after a high-powered speedboat he was driving flipped at more than 100 mph.

Two women who were on the boat with him were hospitalized, authorities said. The accident occurred about a mile south of the Gandy Bridge as Parker's boat sped alongside another boat, whose occupants were unhurt. They pulled the women from the water.

At the time of the accident, authorities said, the temperature of the water was about 60 degrees and Parker was not wearing a life jacket.
Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said Parker had been headed north toward the Gandy Bridge at speeds in excess of 100 mph when the front of his 36-foot Spectre racing boat lifted out of the water.

It came back down on a wave and lifted again, and this time the underside of the aerodynamic boat was hit by enough air to flip it over backward, Wade said. The three riders were tossed out.

The boat, its sides battered by the water, eventually righted itself. It drifted a mile toward the bridge before authorities hauled it out. The two people in the other boat were not involved in the crash, Wade said. They rushed to Parker's craft and pulled the two passengers out of the water. They did not find Parker. The passengers were taken to Tampa General Hospital.

"There's no way they should have been going that fast in an area with a lot of boats coming up on the Gandy Bridge," said boater Dave Bodner, 50, of Tampa, who helped search for Parker. "It's unsafe for them and the people around them."

Jim George, a former Coast Guard captain and Air Force pilot who works at MarineMax boat sales in Clearwater, said that "the faster the boat goes, the less of the boat is touching the water.

If a boat hits the wake of another boat, or any other sort of wave, it pitches the front of the boat into the air and forces the boat's engines deeper into the water. That gives the boat a lift like an airplane wing.

"Basically the driver of the boat was driving faster than conditions allow, something wasn't right, or they were totally inexperienced," he said. "It's a dual hull boat; that's the worst kind for catching air."

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES AND LIFEJACKETS:  The law requires boats to be equipped with a Canadian-approved PFD or lifejacket of an appropriate size for each person on board (except for any infant who weighs less than 9 kg or any person whose chest size exceeds 140 cm).

BAILERS AND MANUAL WATER PUMPS:Bailers must be of at least 750mL with opening minimum 65 cm2 and constructed of plastic or metal. If you choose to have a manual pump, the pump and hose must be able to reach the bilge and discharge over the side of the vessel.A bailer or manual water pump is not required for any multi-hull vessel that has subdivided multiple-sealed hull construction (common example: pontoon boat) or any sailboat fitted with a recess-type cockpit that cannot contain a sufficient quantity of water to capsize the vessel.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: There are three types of fire extinguishers: Class A, B and C. Class A means the extinguisher is designed for fires of combustible, solid materials (wood, paper, etc.), B for combustible liquids (gas, oil, etc.) and C for electrical. A marine type fire extinguisher is highly recommended because of its resistance to corrosion. Check them frequently for proper pressure and be sure that everyone on board knows how to operate them.

WATERTIGHT FLASHLIGHT: Almost every boat requires a watertight flashlight or flares. In the event of an electrical failure the watertight flashlight may be your only means of signalling for help.

FLARES: There are four types of approved pyrotechnics (A, B, C, D). All aerial flares should be fired at an angle into the wind. With a high wind velocity, lower the angle to a maximum of 45 degrees. Flares should be stored in a cool, dry location and in a watertight container. Make sure flares are readily accessible in case of an emergency.

Type A - Parachute: Single red star, when launched, reaches a height of 300 m and with the aid of parachute, comes down slowly. Easily observed from the surface or air; burns for at least 40 seconds

Type B - Multi-Star: Two red stars, when launched, reach a height of 100 m and burn for 4-5 seconds.Readily observed from the surface or air.

Type C - Hand-held: Red flame torch held in your hand. Limited surface visibility. Best for pin-pointing location during an air search; burns for at least 1 minute. Note: avoid looking directly at flare while burning; hold it well clear of the boat and down wind.

Type D - Smoke (buoyant or hand-held): Gives off a dense orange smoke for 3 minutes; used as a day distress signal only. (Some types are made especially for pleasure craft use that last 1 minute and come in a package of 3). Note: position smoke flare down wind.

SOUND SIGNALLING DEVICE: To comply with the Collision Regulations sound-signalling devices are required for all vessels under 12 m, if they are not fitted with a sound signalling appliance. Sound signalling devices can be a pealess whistle, compressed gas horn or electric horn.

SOUND SIGNALLING APPLIANCE: Two sound-signalling appliances are required under the Collison Regulations for vessels 12 m and over. To comply, the vessel must be fitted with a bell and whistle that meet technical criteria described in the Collision Regulations for frequency and audible range.

NAVIGATION LIGHTS: Navigation lights are required under the Collision Regulations if a vessel operates at night or in restricted visibility. If the vessel has navigation lights, they must work and be fitted in accordance with the Collision Regulations.

RADAR REFLECTORS:

Radar reflectors are required under the Collision Regulations. Radar reflectors are a valuable piece of safety equipment because, properly positioned, they help larger, less manoeuvrable vessels detect your presence on their radar screens. For vessels under 20 m in length and for all non-metal vessels, locate reflectors above all superstructures and at least 4 m above the water (if possible). Note: You are not required to carry a radar reflector if it is not essential to the safety of your vessel or is impractical to mount.

The family of Aviva Barth says a boater travelling erratically and at high speed may be to blame for her death.The Toronto-based consultant, who grew up in Guelph, was killed on by a passing boat during a diving lesson.

Barth, 30, was scuba diving at Big Bay Point on Lake Simcoe with a group that included boyfriend Noah Wagner, 29, a diving instructor.When Barth was hit by the boat, Wagner and another instructor tried in vain to revive her.She was pronounced dead of serious head injuries at Barrie's Royal Victoria Hospital.

"It was going perfectly, we were almost finished for the day and we were going to come home," Wagner said. "She was just coming up with her diving partner when the boat came speeding up and hit her in the head."When I came up with my pair, the other instructor saw a pool of blood behind her. We started CPR right away, but at no point in the rescue did she have a pulse."

None of the divers got a good look at the boat that hit Barth, but another diving instructor caught a glimpse of the vessel as it went by."The other instructor said the boat was going extremely fast; it just streaked by," Wagner said. "For her to be hurt that bad, that boat had to be going pretty fast."

Wagner said that he and Barth's family were told by the coroner that Barth was killed instantly, leading them to believe the boat was speeding when it hit her. The divers were training in a relatively shallow area about 30 metres off the end of a government dock near Innisfil and were about to complete their second dive of the day when the boat passed a dive marker at about 5:45 p.m.

Wagner, who dives frequently at Big Bay Point, said the area near the dock is popular with swimmers and divers because the water is warm and not too deep. He said that boaters are often not familiar with or are dismissive of dive markers.

"When we put that flag up, it means that boaters shouldn't come within 150 feet of that flag - (the boat) came within 50 feet of that flag," he said. "The water was only 10 feet deep - that's how close they came to the shore. Essentially it wasn't a diving accident - it was a boating accident."

AIDS TO NAVIGATION: Aids to navigation are devices (buoys) or systems (collision regulations), that are external to the pleasure craft.  They are provided to help the operator of a pleasure craft determine position and course.  They can additionally warn the operator of dangers or obstructions and advise the operator operator of the location of the best or preferred route.

The following is a list of some of the more common navigation aids that you will see, but is by no means exhaustive. For a complete listing of navigation aids, please see your Safe Boating Guide.

Green Port Hand Buoys: 

• mark the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept on the port (left) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream direction;

• are coloured green;

• display identification letter(s) and odd number(s);

• if it carries a topmark, the topmark is a single green cylinder;

• if it carries a light, the light is green and is a flashing (FI) 4 s or quick flashing (Q) 1 s;

• if the buoy does not carry a light, it has a flat top.

Red Starboard Hand Buoys:

• Mark the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kep on the starboard (right) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream direction;

• are coloured red;

• display identification letter(s) and even number(s);

• if it carries a topmark, the topmark is a single red cone, pointing upward;
• if it carries a light, the light is red and is a flashing (F1) 4 s or quick flashing (Q) 1 s;
• if the buoy does not carry a light, it has a pointed top.

Port Hand Day Beacon:

• marks the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a danger during daylight hours

• it must be kept on the port (left) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding upstream;

• it is square with a black or green coloured square centered on a white background with a green reflecting border .. it may display an odd number made of white reflecting material

Starboard Hand Day Beacon:

• marks the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of a danger during daylight hours and must be kept on the starboard (right) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding upstream;

• it is a red coloured triangle centered on a white background with a red reflecting border; and may display an even number made of white reflecting material

North Cardinal Buoy:

• A north cardinal buoy is located so that the safest water exists to the north of it

• The top half is painted black indicating that it is a north buoy .. the lower half is painted yellow.

• If this buoy does not carry a light, it will be spar shaped

South Cardinal Buoy:

• A south cardinal buoy indicates that the safest water exists to the south of it.

• It is coloured black and yellow

• The black is positioned on the bottom indicating that it is pointing south;the upper portion is painted yellow

• If this buoy does not carry a light, it will be spar shaped

• If it carries a topmark .. they will both point downward to indicate south

East Cardinal Buoy: 

• An east cardinal buoy is located to indicate that the safest water exists to the east of it

• It is coloured black and yellow

• the black is positioned on the top and the bottom with the yellow portion in the middle to indicate that it is an east buoy

• If this buoy does not carry a light, it shall be spar shaped

• If it carries a topmark .. they will point in opposite directions to indicate that it is an east buoy

West Cardinal Buoy:

• A west cardinal buoy is located to indicate that the safest water exists to the west of it.

• It is coloured black and yellow

• The black is positioned in the center to indicate that it is a west buoy .. the yellow is positioned top and bottom.

• If this buoy does not carry a light, it shape be spar shaped

• If it carries a topmark .. they will point in towards each other to indicate that it is a west buoy

Hazard Buoy:

• it is a buoy which marks random hazards such as rocks and shoals

• it is white in colour

• it has an orange diamond on two opposite sides and two orange horizontal bands, one above and one below the diamond symbols

• if it carries a light the light is yellow and flashes once every 4 seconds

Swimming Buoy:

• it is used to mark the perimeter of a swimming area

• it is white in colour

• if it carries a light, the light is yellow and it will flash once every 4 seconds.

Diving Buoy:

• it is used to mark an area where scuba or other such diving activity is in progress

• it is coloured white

• it carries a red flag not less than 50 centimetres square with a white diagonal stripe extending from the tip of the hoist to the bottom of the fly

• if it carries a light the light shall be yellow and flash once every 4 seconds

Keep Out Buoy:

• A keep out buoy marks an area in which boats are prohibited

• it is white in colour

• it has an orange diamond containing an orange cross on two opposite sides and two orange horizontal bands -one above and one below the diamond symbols

• if it carries a light the light is yellow .. flashing once every 4 seconds