No person shall operate a vessel in a careless manner, without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons. Doing so could be a fineable offense under the Contraventions Act.
Examples of careless operation include:
- Jumping the waves of another vessel at an unreasonably close distance;
- Weaving through congested traffic at more than a slow speed;
- Swerving at the last possible moment (i.e. playing chicken ); and
- Operating a boat at a speed higher than necessary to maintain steerageway when near swimmers, non-powered vessels or cautionary buoys.
REMEMBER: If swimmers are in the waterways, the boat operator should stay well clear of swimmers and swimming areas.