PFD's and Lifejackets

Everyone should always wear a lifejacket/PFD while on board a vessel to prevent drowning, however, not everyone does. In these cases, it is important to know how to put on a PFD in the water: spread the device open with the inside facing up out of the water; rotate the device so as to look at the neck opening; extend both arms through arm openings; life arms over the head; position the device around the upper body and fasten the device to fit snugly.

The difference between a lifejacket and personal flotation device (PFD) is that a lifejacket is able to turn an unconscious person face up in the water; a personal flotation device will not do so". When choosing a lifejacket/PFD, the following factors should be taken into account: it should fit snugly but allow freedom of movement of the arms and legs; adult sizes are for adults, children sizes are for children. Another consideration is the activity that will be taking place while wearing the lifejacket/PFD. An inflatable PFD, for example, is not approved for use on personal watercraft or by anyone under 16; pouch type PFDs are only permitted for rowing and paddling, but not for whitewater rafting. Being used as cushions or craft fenders can also damage lifejackets/PFDs.

The waterways and their characteristics vary substantially from one area to another. The same waterway can have local hazards and the local hazards can even change from year to year or even hour to hour. Local hazards that the operator of a pleasure craft must be wary of include: low head dams, rapids, sudden winds, tides, currents, whitewater, overhead cables, underwater cables, bridges or rapid build up of high wave conditions. The operator can find out about local hazards by checking the charts, marine publications and also by talking to local boaters and authorities.

  Sail Plan

Before heading out to the pleasure craft, the operator should file a trip (or sail or float) plan with a responsible person who is familiar with the instructions to follow in case of emergency. The purpose of a trip plan is to assist in initiating a call for search and rescue in case of emergency. During the trip, the plan should be updated as needed if the operator's plans change; in the summer of 1999, the search and rescue team and plane were called out to Georgian Bay to search for an overdue boat. After several hours of searching, the vessel was spotted; the operator had decided to change his plans and hadn't informed his family of his changed plans. The following is a sample of a Trip or Sail Plan.
Sail Plan  Printable Version Click Here  (PDF)

Owner's Name and Address ___________________________________

Telephone Number __________________________________________

Vessel's Name and License Number _____________________________

Sail ____________    Power _____________

Size and Type ______________________________________________

Colour ________ Hull ___________ Deck ___________ Cabin ________

Type of Engine ___________________ 

Other Distinguishing Features _______________________

Radio Channels Monitored HF _______    VHF _________    MF _________

Safety Equipment on Board

Life Rafts ________   Dinghy or Small Boat ( include colour) ______________

Flares (include number and type) _______ Lifejackets/PFD's (include number)  ____

Other __________________________________________________________

Search and Rescue Telephone _______________________________________

Trip Details (include these details every trip)

Date of Departure ____________ Time of Departure _____________

Leaving From _______________ Heading to ___________________

Proposed Route _________________________________________

Estimated Date and Time of Arrival ___________________________

Stop Over Point ________________ Number of Persons on Board _____________

Stop Over Point ________________

Printable Sail Plan Click Here  (PDF)

  Pre-Departure Checklist

Another good safety practice to get into is to use a Pre-Departure Checklist before heading out onto the water. This is simply a reminder to check all supplies and safety equipment to avoid situations which could lead to emergencies. A Pre-Departure Checklist should consist of the following: 

- check hull for cracks or other damage

- appropriate emergency kit that may consist of the following items: flashlight, whistle, knife, first aid kit, emergency rations, drinking water, dry clothing (keep in a watertight container at all times) 

- enough lifejackets/PFDs that fit and extra PFDs and lifejackets stowed in a dry, well-ventilated and readily accessible place on board the craft

- equipment required to be carried is present and in readily accessible places

- throttle is operating smoothly and not sticking or binding

- steering is operating properly 

- check oil and fuel levels (1/3 out ; 1/3 back ; 1/3 reserve)

- all hoses, clamps and belts are secure and in good shape

- battery is charged and fluid levels checked

- weather forecast checked

- sail plan completed and filed with someone on shore

- tool kit and spare parts

  Re-Fueling

Raw fuel is extremely harmful to the marine environment and the vapours create a fire hazard. Follow these procedures step-by-step when refueling; it not only makes good sense, it is the law.

1. Moor the craft to prevent spillage;
2. shut down all engines;
3. ensure all persons not involved in fueling the craft are ashore;
4. extinguish all open flames;
5. do not smoke in fueling areas;
6. switch off all electrical equipment;
7. close all doors, windows and ports;
8. move portable tanks ashore;
9. ground nozzle against filler pipe;
10. do not over fill tank to prevent overflow;
11. clean up spillage;
12. activate ventilation in engine compartment for four minutes by the exhaust fan before the ignition is switched on and
13. check for fuel vapour odours before starting up the engine.

  Loading The Pleasure Craft

With all of the above done, it is time to load the pleasure craft. Because a pleasure craft is supposed to be buoyant in the water, it is important that it is able to float; it will not be able to float if there is too much weight on board; do not overload the craft in excess of the recommended gross load capacity or the equivalent number of adult persons, if applicable. A cousin of the eight people who drowned on James Bay stated, "we've heard that the boats were too heavy. They were just carrying too much equipment".

Pleasure craft are vulnerable to weight distribution - position the persons on board and the gear so as to evenly distribute the weight. Keep the load as low as possible on board the craft and lash the gear or stow the gear in lockers to prevent uncontrolled movement of the gear. This is all done to avoid impeding the operation of the pleasure craft that could increase the risk of causing injuries or loss of life to persons on board.

On board the pleasure craft, the operator is in charge. As such, the operator is responsible to ensure that the passengers know the following safety points: the location of personal flotation devices and /or lifejackets; how to put on a lifejacket/PFD both in and out of the water; the importance of wearing the PFD/lifejacket; location of emergency kit; importance of keeping oneself low, on the center line, and holding on to a rigid part of the craft while moving around on board; the importance of keeping one's hands, arms and legs inside the pleasure craft when approaching or leaving a dock; the effects of the motion of the pleasure craft, sunlight, waves, wind, sound and alcohol on them and their roles in the event of emergencies.