President`s Message - Buckshot Lake Cottage Association

JULY 2014
BUCKSHOT LAKE COTTAGERS’ ASSOCIATION
INFO NEWSLETTER
CONTENTS
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Boating Safety
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Boating Etiquette
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Don’t Cruise With Booze
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Impact Of Your Boat Wake
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How To Be Wake Wise
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Contact Information
Background
This second INFO Newsletter contains information about water safety, boating etiquette and the effects of
boat wake on Buckshot Lake property owners. Some Association members have expressed concerns to the
Executive regarding the need for all of us to revisit the rules and procedures meant to provide for the safe
enjoyment of water activities and water sports.
One of the functions of your Executive is to provide this kind of information for the benefit of the BLCA
membership.
NOTE: This Newsletter follows a first INFO Newsletter which focused on the By-laws of both municipalities
– the Townships of North Frontenac and Addington-Highlands. The first INFO Newsletter was sent to the
membership on June 9.
REMINDER – THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY JULY 13 AT THE CLARMILL HALL ON BUCKSHOT LAKE ROAD IN PLEVNA – MEETING TIME IS 10 AM. THE MEETING
WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BBQ. THOSE WHO CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING CAN STILL SHOW
UP FOR THE BBQ WHICH WILL START AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30.
THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT INTEREST IN HOLDING A YARD SALE AS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY
ANNOUNCED?
THE AGM WILL FEATURE A WORKSHOP ON FIRE PREVENTION AND A PRESENTATION BY A BELL
MOBILITY AGENT REGARDING THE CELL & INTERNET SERVICE WHICH WILL BE ROLLED OUT IN
JULY
Rolly Montpellier
President
rlm@xplornet.com.
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JULY 2014
BUCKSHOT LAKE COTTAGERS’ ASSOCIATION
INFO NEWSLETTER
BOATING ON BUCKSHOT LAKE
Most of us with our pleasure craft licence studied specific rules of the water geared to
safe & responsible boating; most of us are familiar with general boat safety & etiquette. However,
we may not be as familiar with the impact of our boating practices and boat wake.
Boating Safety
When choosing a safe speed, consider:
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The visibility conditions (fog, mist, rain and darkness) and your ability to see ahead
The wind, water conditions and current
The maneuverability of your boat
The traffic density, types of vessels in the area and their proximity
The proximity of any hazards (rocks, and tree stumps)
Boating Etiquette
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Watch Your Speed close to docks, the shoreline and especially in narrows, shallow areas and in
bays
Consider the effects your boat’s wake might create and help prevent damage to other boats,
docks and the shoreline.
Consider other users of the lake such as swimmers, kayakers, canoeists and people out fishing.
Don't Cruise with Booze
Drinking too much and taking to the water leads to dangerous situations. When you drink and
boat you are not just a danger to yourself. Operators are responsible for the safety of their guests
and should consider other users of the lake.
Besides the possible legal consequences, mixing alcohol and boating is far more dangerous than
you may realize. Fatigue, sun, wind and the motion of the boat dull your senses. Alcohol
intensifies these effects, leaving you with poorer fine motor skills.
Drinking and driving is illegal and punishable under the Criminal Code. Convictions for a first
offence can result in heavy punishment: penalties are no less than $600, prohibition from
operating a vessel could be up to three years.
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JULY 2014
BUCKSHOT LAKE COTTAGERS’ ASSOCIATION
INFO NEWSLETTER
Impact of your Boat Wake
The larger the wake, the greater the potential for undesirable side effects.
Loons & other birds that nest along the shore choose locations that are protected from waves
generated by the prevailing winds. However, boat wake, which can come from any direction, can
& does drown the nests & the young, particularly in May & June.
Inexperienced swimmers & young children are not usually in the water when wind driven waves
are high. However, they can be toppled by the size & energy of boat wake.
Boat wake & prop wash can churn up sediments in shallow water which releases dormant nutrients
that promote weed growth & algal blooms.
Boat wake can cause erosion.
Boat wake can cause docks & moored boats to rock severely & pull mooring hardware.
How You can be Wake Wise
1. Be aware of the size of your wake during displacement, transition & planing speeds.
2. Position your passengers through-out the boat in order to reduce the time spent in
transition speed.
3. Look behind you to see and understand the impact of your wake on shorelines, docks
or other structures. Adjust your speed & direction to minimize the impact.
4. Respect the shoreline zone. Reduce your speed to less than 10 km/h within 30
metres of any shore including the narrow channels between islands.
5. Water-ski, tube and wake-board well away from all shorelines. Try to make use of the
entire length of the lake.
6. Consider the size of the wake produced when purchasing a new boat.
Important Links:
Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations - Boating
Transport Canada - Marine
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JULY 2014
BUCKSHOT LAKE COTTAGERS’ ASSOCIATION
INFO NEWSLETTER
Current Executive Contact Information
Rolly Montpellier – President
Home: 613.479.2829
rlm@xplornet.com
Jim Bacon – Secretary
Home: 613.479.2407
baconjames0@gmail.com
Guy Lefebvre
Home: 613.830.6184
Cottage: 613.479.0183
gc.lefebvre@hotmail.com
Paul Asselin - Treasurer
Home: 613.692.8625
Cottage: 613.479.9923
paul.asselin2@sympatico.ca
Bob Haynes – Vice President
Cottage: 613.479.2959
bob@rasynergy.ca
Lee Norbeck
Cottage: 613.479.0389
norbyco@gmail.com
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