Control you Speed, Wake & Wash:  (Collision Regulations)

Pleasure craft operators travelling at high speed require a greater stopping distance.  The operator must be more attentive because he or she will have less time to react to changing conditions.
The Scarab shown at right (with a hole in its side), collided with another vessel travelling in the opposite direction -  both were rounding a blind turn at high speed near Beausoleil Island, one of Georgian Bay's 30,000 Islands.  (the other smaller vessel was completely destroyed when it afterwards careened into a granite island rock-face).

The Collision Regulations require pleasure craft operators to, at all times, proceed at a safe speed, so proper and effective action can be taken to avoid collision.  Whenever operating in an area of restricted visibility, not in sight of other vessels, always proceed at a safe speed, adapted to those circumstances.
In determining a safe speed, the operator must consider the following factors;

• the state of visibility, is it dark, or foggy?  What's around the bend?
  
• the traffic density, including concentrations of fishing and other vessels,
  
• the state of wind, sea, and current,
  
• the proximity of navigational hazards.
  

The Collision Regulations also require that operators of pleasure craft proceed at all times at a speed such that wake & wash will not harm;

• other vessels, including anchored vessels, vessels being passed, grounded vessels, wreck, dredge, tow, row-boats, or canoes,
  
• work being passed, such as docks and floats,
  
• the shoreline and wetlands,
  
• an area of bathing beaches, or an area where divers are, or an anchorage area.
  

Passing Etiquette:

To avoid troublesome wakes when overtaking another pleasure craft, it helps if both the overtaking vessel, and the vessel being passed, take the following steps;

Overtaking vessel;

• hail the vessel that you wish to pass and invite her operator to slow right down (momentarily), so that you may ease by.  Resume your desired safe speed only when your wake will not be a problem.  Timing is everything.  Get it right and enjoy a friendly greeting from every boat you pass!