Fines increasing for noisy boats

Wayne Moore - May 28, 2009 CASTANET:

A recent change in legislation will increase the amount people can be fined for operating noisy boats on inland lakes. Prior to changes within the Canada Shipping Act and Small Vessel Regulations, boat operators faced a maximum fine of $115 for operating boats without a muffler.
Kelowna-Lake Country MP, Ron Cannan, says those fines have been increased to $250 for people operating a boat without a muffler and up to $500 for boats with exhaust diverter systems that send exhaust into the air. Cannan says the feds are also working with the province to step up enforcement of houseboat operators who illegally dump sewage into the lake. "We're trying to clean up the lake and protect it from pollutants and also from irresponsible boat owners. It's only a few boat owners who create havoc for the majority and those handful of people make it very miserable for a lot of people," says Cannan. He says he understands the whole situation has been frustrating, but says it's a start.

Lake Country Mayor, James Baker, says the new fines and initiatives are a start but agrees they need to get tougher. "At least it's a start, but it's going to be an issue of enforcement. We have to get a Coast Guard presence and RCMP presence and something that they can use to deal with these guys," says Baker. He says boaters can also be fined up to $10,000 for excessive speeds as well. "Problem is, we don't have speed limits on the lake. What constitutes excessive speed isn't something that can be determined." Baker says there are provisions in the act which allow for incremental fines for safety violations. He says he hopes within time, that same type of incremental system could be used for nuisance violations such as noise.