7 Ways to be a Respectful Boater in the Southern Gulf Islands

With summer about to ease itself from the clutches of spring, more and more Southern Gulf Islanders and visitors will soon push off from shore in kayaks, sailboats, powerboats, and a variety of other watercraft.

The Southern Gulf Islands are an ideal destination for boaters. There are marine parks, multitudes of safe anchorages, hidden coves, snug passages, fascinating shorelines, and a marina for every traveller’s taste—not to mention the charming and unique island communities themselves! But the region can only remain one of BC’s favourite boating destinations if boaters conduct themselves safely and responsibly, the natural landscape is preserved, and the wild residents of the Salish Sea are respected.

PLAN AHEAD

The sea surrounding the Southern Gulf Islands is beautiful, but it can also be changeable and volatile. Gentle breezes can turn to strong winds, lapping waves to violent surf, and sunny skies to driving rain in a short span of time. Notice a sharp change in the wind? A darkening sky? A sudden chill in the air? Use caution and head for safe harbour. Before setting off, check the weather forecast and relevant tide and current tables. The only thing better than being prepared to navigate a dangerous boating situation is avoiding those situations altogether.

Even in perfect weather, boating still involves a wide range of safety considerations. First is the safety of the vessel itself. Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety offers free vessel checks: a trained volunteer will come to your boat, inspect your boat and safety equipment, and identify and discuss any issues with you. Once you know your vessel meets all safety requirements, make sure that you have properly fitted life jackets for everyone on board—and remember to wear them! Most drowning victims aren’t wearing life jackets, and your life jacket can’t help you in an emergency if you leave it lying around the boat. Before every excursion, do a safety check and ensure everything is in order.

INVOLVE OTHERS

Ideally, there should always be at least two people on board who have their Pleasure Craft Operator Card, know the basics of how to operate the vessel, and are familiar with all the safety equipment. Then, if the skipper is injured, the designated assistant skipper can get everyone safely back to shore.

The Southern Gulf Islands might be surrounded by the mainland and Vancouver Island, but they are rural and relatively remote. If something goes wrong on the water, help may take time to arrive, and you should be prepared for every possibility with food, water, sunscreen, and warm clothing for everyone on board. Marine search and rescue crews can’t find you if they don’t know you’re missing. Before setting off, fill out a trip plan and leave it with a friend, family member, or marina staff member who can alert one of the marine search and rescue crews if you don’t return on schedule. Always remember to let that person know when you’ve returned, so no unnecessary searches are launched!

BE SAFE AND RESPECTFUL

Just like on land, Islanders value slowing down and taking in the natural beauty of the island region on the water. Operate your vessel at a safe speed, especially in crowded areas, and respect buoys and other navigational aids. Pay attention to the watercraft around you. Some boaters are social and eager to share their adventures with others. Some come to the islands to retreat into the peace of a secluded cove, and will not appreciate the disruption of a loud motor and rough wake. If you come across multiple vessels who have slowed or stopped, slow down and take a look around—there may be whales nearby who would be harmed in a collision or negatively affected by engine noise.

The Southern Gulf Islands feature a variety of breweries and vineyards, but those beverages are best enjoyed on land. Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol is illegal in Canada, and in BC passengers are often also prohibited from drinking. Passengers on a boat may only consume alcohol if the vessel has permanent cooking facilities, permanent sleeping accommodations, and a permanent toilet. Drinking alcohol on a boat that does not meet those requirements, even if you’re not the one operating the vessel, can result in a $230 fine.

ISLAND HOP

Ferry travel between islands can be a challenge for both islanders and visitors. Boaters have the advantage of being able to easily visit all five Southern Gulf Islands—and they should! Southern Gulf Island communities are small, and masses of visitors pose a risk to delicate ecosystems. Not only does visiting all the islands disperse visitor traffic throughout the region—reducing stress on the environment, locals, and infrastructure—boaters have the ability to easily travel between communities, discovering hidden gems that are less easily accessible to landlubbers. Though there are many commonalities between communities that tie the Southern Gulf Islands together as a region, each island has its own unique beauty and charm.

WATCH FOR SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES

Boaters should be aware that they aren’t the only ones enjoying the warm water and salty breeze.

The Salish Sea is home to an estimated 37 species of marine mammals, 172 species of birds, 253 species of fish, and more than 3,000 species of invertebrates. 135 of those species are at risk, and all of them are impacted by human activities in their habitat.

The Southern Resident killer whales are perhaps the Salish Sea’s most famous residents. The region is usually their home from spring until fall, and their traditional return to the islands’ waters is anticipated by islanders and visitors alike. However, the three pods that comprise the Southern Resident population are endangered, and vessel traffic and noise put them under additional stress. Increased recreational boating in the summertime—which is when the whales are likely to be in the Salish Sea—increases the ever-present risk of boat-whale collisions, and the noise from both shipping traffic and small craft interferes with the whales’ ability to communicate and hunt.

To protect the Southern Resident killer whales, there are rules that boaters must follow:

• Stay 400m from killer whales in coastal waters
• Stay 200m from killer whales in other Canadian Pacific waters
• Respect area-based fishing closures
• Avoid the Interim Sanctuary Zones off of North Pender Island and Saturna Island
• Slow down to below 10 knots in Seasonal Slowdown Areas
• Do not follow whale watching boats or any other vessel flying a purple authorized vessel flag, as they have trained naturalists on board, and are allowed to approach whales closer than other boaters

RESPECT MARINE MAMMALS

The Southern Residents are not the only marine mammals that seagoing visitors to the Southern Gulf Islands should respect. The Salish Sea is also home to, or visited by, Dall’s porpoises, harbour porpoises, Transient (or Bigg’s) killer whales, and humpback, minke, and grey whales. Vessels must stay 200m away from all whales, dolphins, and porpoises when the animals are resting or have a calf.

The presence of such charismatic creatures is one of the things that makes the Southern Gulf Islands region special. Islanders protect the unique ecosystems of their islands and the surrounding sea, and ask that visitors also take steps to preserve the region’s remote, coastal environment. Besides the mandatory measures, there are also voluntary actions that boaters can take to honour local values and avoid disturbing invaluable, intelligent marine mammals:

• Stop fishing and do not haul gear within 1000m of killer whales
• Slow to below seven knots when within 1000m of any marine mammal
• Turn off echo sounders and fish finders when not in use
• If you find yourself accidentally too close to a whale, porpoise, or dolphin and it is safe to do so, place your engine in neutral idle and allow the animals to pass.
• Carry a whale warning flag on your boat, and fly it when you encounter a whale within 1000m of your vessel
• If you see a boat or land station flying a whale warning flag, slow down to below seven knots, turn off fish finders and/or depth sounders, and watch the whales and other vessels to determine how best to approach or depart the area

Additionally, do not dump sewage or other discharge into the ocean. Visit a marina that is equipped with a pump out station and keep your waste out of the water.

Written by Natasha Simpson