2023-Aug-04
Be a Responsible Boater - Watch Your Wake!
Large and destructive wakes can create unsafe conditions, be harmful to the environment, and cause property damage, notably:
- Hazards for swimmers and smaller vessels
- Large wake can cause dangerous conditions for swimmers and can even swamp smaller vessels.
- Shoreline erosion
- Wake combined with higher water levels can cause plants and trees to lose their root support and get washed into the water creating debris and floating hazards.
- Disruption of breeding grounds
- Wake can disturb fish, frog, and insect eggs and can swamp the nests of waterfowl, like loons, that lay eggs close to shore.
- Property Damage
- Wake can cause moored boats to bump and rub against docks and cause strain to dock anchoring systems.
The law states that power-driven vessels must slow down to 10 km/hour within 30 meters of a shoreline except in canals and marked channels.
Be Aware of Your Wake
The larger the wake, the greater the potential for undesirable side effects, so:
- Look behind you to see and understand the impact your wake has on shorelines
- Adjust your speed and direction to minimize the impact (10km/h within 30 metres of shore including narrow channels between islands)
- Position passengers throughout the boat to balance the weight
- Water-ski, tube, and wakeboard far away from shorelines
Remember, boaters are responsible and can be liable for any damages caused by excessive wakes they create (see article: https://gba.flywheelstaging.com/excessive-wakes/). By being aware of the wake you create and minimizing it wherever possible you will be preserving the natural environment and the pleasures of the Bay for everyone. #BeWakeAware
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