Tragedy struck once again on Osoyoos Lake on Friday when a 24-year-old woman from Port Coquitlam was killed in a collision between two personal watercraft.
At this point we know few details other than that her jet ski collided with one driven by a male friend. Until officials release more information, it would not be appropriate to say much on this particular incident, except to comment on the tragic loss of life.
But there are larger issues at stake here that warrant discussion. This is not the first accident involving a rented jet ski and it probably won’t be the last.
In order to operate a motorized recreational vessel on Canadian lakes, federal law requires the driver to have “proof of competency.”
For most boaters this comes in the form of a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, which is obtained typically by completing a Transport Canada accredited course and then an examination.
These courses cover a wide range of boating situations including the rules of the road and who has the right-of-way when various kinds of boats meet.
Much of the material covered by these courses and the exam is boating laws and regulations – not just recommended practices.
For operators of rental boats, however, there is a big loophole. They aren’t required to complete any course or exam.
Rather, they are simply required to initial about 15 boxes on a Rental Boat Safety Checklist indicating they agree not to operate the boat while drunk or stoned, that they will keep clear of non-powered pleasure craft and they’ll be courteous around those involved in all water-related activities.
There’s nothing about rules of the road. Nothing about collision regulations. Nothing about use of lights.
As there are no questions, it’s quite possible that many renters simply initial the boxes without reading what they agree to.
When the exemption for rental boats was put in place, the government consulted with the boat rental industry. Clearly there was a desire not to see too much red tape prevent casual renters from getting out in a boat.
Thankfully the car rental companies have never been able to obtain such an exemption in their businesses, and all renters of a car must present a valid driver’s license.
The different treatment for rental boats may make good sense for somebody renting a fishing boat or even a pleasure craft to take the family on an outing.
But jet skis are a different matter. They aren’t driven in straight lines. They are driven, usually in erratic patterns at very high speeds.
And anyone who has been out on a sailboat, kayak or standup paddleboard, or even swam in open water has probably experienced these watercraft zipping in far too close.
Like it or not, they are a part of the summer experience and will probably remain on Osoyoos Lake.
But maybe, just maybe, a higher level of “proof of competency” should be required by those wishing to rent them.
