Boating
McBride’s Fraser River boat launch is located at Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Park, just 1km east of McBride on Highway 16. Turn onto Raven Road, which leads to the free boat launch.
Experienced whitewater paddlers will run the Fraser River, Beaver/Holmes River, McKale Creek, the Dore River and others in the Robson Valley when conditions are right. Independent paddlers will find out more information about local conditions at Robson Valley Whitewater.
One immediate concern is the lower number of boaters currently on the water, which could mean reduced nearby assistance if you encounter problems. Additionally, any incidents may disproportionately strain rescue operations.
The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) has outlined the following key messages for this season’s Safe Boating Awareness Week:
- Wear Your Life Jacket – Sadly, over 80% of drowning victims in Canada were not wearing their life jackets, or wore them incorrectly. The market now offers a wide variety of life jackets and personal flotation devices, making it easier to find one that fits your boating style and is comfortable to wear throughout your time on the water.
- Boat Sober – Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or prescription drugs is not only dangerous but also illegal. In some provinces, a conviction for impaired boating can affect your car driving privileges.
- Take a Boating Course – Operators of powered recreational vessels are required to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or equivalent proof of competency. However, just obtaining the card is the beginning. We recommend pursuing further specialized training. For enthusiasts of paddle sports, now is an ideal time for on-water training. Beginners should consider starting with online resources to learn about responsible paddle craft boating, though these are not substitutes for practical training.
- Be Prepared, You and Your Vessel – Ensure both you and your vessel are ready for your planned activities. This includes being informed about your trip, ensuring your boat is equipped with necessary and additional recommended safety gear, checking that weather conditions are favourable, ensuring adequate fuel supplies, and filing a trip plan. Remember, staying out of trouble not only keeps you safe, but also eases the load on rescue services.
- Be Cold Water Safe – Cold water can drastically reduce your ability to swim or stay afloat. Even experienced swimmers are vulnerable to the effects of sudden immersion in cold water. Wearing a life jacket is your best defence against cold-water immersion risks.
These initiatives are designed to ensure a safer boating experience for everyone involved.
BE A GOOD BOATER!
We share our waterways with large boats and small, and not just pleasure craft, but commercial and industrial vessels, and even cruise ships, ferries and SeaBus. And while our waters are open to everyone, that doesn’t mean it is open season to operate without consideration for others, and the environment.
Before you head out, familiarize yourself with the finer points of boating etiquette, as well as best practices for environmentally responsible ‘green boating’ as well as protecting our marine mammals by staying the minimum distance away from endangered whales and other species. And most of all, we believe that an informed, confident boater is a safe boater, so we recommend a range of training courses all year round.
