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Page 8 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, July 2, 1997 An Enjoyable Afternoon of Boating Could Turn Deadly Boating Feature Stories and Photo by Jennifer Herr Slaff Writer Now that summer is underway, boating season is in full swing. And, along with boating season comes the news of spring drownings and other mishaps involving watercraft. According to Vince McManus of the Oshawa- based Canadian Power and Sail Squadron (CPSS), many boating accidents are completely completely avoidable. McManus says 85 per cent of the 200 annual boating deaths are alcohol related. What most people don't recognize is that drinking and boating is not only as danger- READY SKIPPER - Irv Gill, owner of the Port Darlington Marina, readies his boat before heading out onto Lake Ontario for an afternoon under the sun. With boating season in full swing come warnings from the Oshawa-based Canadian Power and Sail Squadron rçgarding safe practices on the water. Annually, 200 people lose their lives in boating mishaps. ous, but as punishable, as drinking and driving. In fact, according to Inspector Greg Mills of the Sunderland detachment of Durham Regional Police, boaters charged with impaired operation operation of a vessel "could lose their drivers' licence." McManus says people also tend to make silly mistakes when boating. Overloading of small boats, and failure to use life jackets or personal flotation flotation devices (PFD) can cause problems. As well, McManus says some people find themselves themselves in tough situations when they jump off the dock into the boat, or shut off engines before being completely completely docked. The CPSS offers courses to teach people better boating skills to help avoid such mistakes. "Licensing a person to drive a car never prevented a death, but education did," says McManus. Annually; there are 200 deaths related to boating. Eighty- five percent of those deaths are alcohol related. COMRA, the City of Oshawa Marine Rescue Unit, is a volunteer arm of the Coast Guard. The organization, organization, staffed entirely by vol unteers, was formed 26 years ago by the CPSS, and is currently currently responsible for helping boaters in distress on Lake Ontario between Whitby- Ajax and Port Granby. Their area extends as far out as the international border, and according to media relations spokesperson Jason Pow, their services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in the summer. Pow says people tend to misjudge weather on Lake Ontario. "We have a saying around here: If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes," states Pow, adding that a lot of problems can occur as a result of not "being prepared for the weather." His team of about 60 volunteers is required to be prepared for diverse conditions. Do's And Dont's On The Water According to the Canadian Coast Guard's Safe Boating Guide, common sense can often dictate whether or not you will fall prey to a boating accident. Here's a list of "Do's and Don'ts" from the Coast Guard. Do: * wear a Personal Floating Device approved by Transport Canada. * head for safe haven when a storm threatens. * slow down when passing rowboats rowboats and canoes. * slow down in bad weather and when making sharp turns. * assist any boat in distress. .* keep the bilges clean and free of oil, gasoline and rags. Vent any enclosed areas into the open air. * check the battery and its ventilation. ventilation. * set outboard motors in neutral before starting. Ensure the motor is in the straight-ahead position. Don't: * stand up or change scats in a small boat, particularly if it's fully loaded. * stand up when starting an outboard outboard motor. * mix liquor and boating. * sound your horn or use the spotlight spotlight unnecessarily. * be a show off. * carry outdated charts and publications publications in the boat. * anchor close to other boats. r A Weekly Agenda of' Events in Bowmanville and Surrounding Communities' THURSDAY, JULY 3 BRASS IN THE PARK -- Pineridge Brass, a quintet featuring featuring two trumpets, french horn, trombone and a tuba will perform perform on Thursday, July 3, 7 p.m„ at Rotary Park on Queen Street in Bowmanville. The group's repertoire includes classical, classical, contemporary, baroque, broadway, marches, opera, solos and pop compositions under the direction of Bob Reid. READ AROUND THE WORLD -- The Clarington Public Library kicks-off its' Summer Reading Program "Reading Around the'World" on Thursday, July 3 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at all branches. Join the library staff for an afternoon of storytelling, storytelling, games and activities. Musicians from Club Carib will be drumming up a storm in Bowmanville and Ukranian dancers will visit the Newcastle Village branch. VOICES OF LIBERTY -- A 100-voice mixed choir from Holland will present a "Thank-You Canadians" concert with organ and piano accompaniment at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Bowmanville on July 3 at 8 p.m. The Dutch choir is on a two-week tour in Ontario to thank Canadian Armed Forces for liberating the Netherlands in World War Two. A freewill offering will be accepted and, since the choir is performing free of charge, all proceeds will go towards the church's new piano fund. host this event which runs from 7 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. SUNDAY, JULY 6 BBQ AT WATSON FARM -- On Sunday, July 6th, the Bowmanville Tennis Club will be cooking up hamburgers and hot dogs and serving cold drinks in a fundraiser event for their club at Watson Farm on Hwy 2 west of Bowmanville. Entertainment for the day will include a special clown, balloon animals and face-painting for kids. Watson' Farms will'also have its u-pick berry fields open all day! Bring'the family and have a berry good time. IN THE WEEKS AHEAD SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK -- The Driftwood Theatre Group opens its summer schedule of Shakespeare in the Park with a performance at Soper Creek in Bowmanville on Thursday, July 10. The show begins at 8 p.m. The Driftwood players are now in their third season of staging Shakespearean drama at outdoor venues across Durham. This year, troop brings its production of "Much Ado About Nothing" to audiences audiences in Bowmanville, Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and Port Perry. The cast returns to Bowmanville's Soper Creek on August 1 and 2. FRIDAY, JULY 4 FAMILY FISHING -- Everyone is invited to Darlington Provincial Park to enjoy the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend. On July 4, 5 & 6 when licence-free fishing will be allowed. Come in and drop a line in the lively waters of McLaughlin Bay. Anglers must abide by conservation limits, however. Admission to the park is $7 per vehicle. ROLLERBLADE FUN -- Bring your family, friends and neighbors out for an evening of rollerblade fun on Friday, July 4th at the Garnet B. Rickard arena. The Bowmanville Lions Lord Elgin Collects Tabs for Wheelchairs Lord Elgin Public School students (clockwise from upper left) Nicholas Buttery, Kaylan Szuch, Kendell Chase, Katelyn Smith, Irene Van Kooten, David Norrish and Eric Gibson display display just a fraction of the pop tab collection they and their school males accumulated over the past school year. In all, they managed to fill over 200 milk cartons. The aluminum tabs are sold to Alcan Aluminum by the pound and the money used to purchase wheelchairs, chair lifts and van lifts for people in need. This is the first year Lord Elgin has been involved in the pop lab recycling program and co-ordinator Mrs. Limebcer (above) encourages other schools in the area to get involved. FOR YOUR INFORMATION 4TH LINE THEATRE -- The 4th Line Theatre group in Cavan Township invites tire public to preview its three summer season plays this summer. The romantic tale entitled Crow Hill: The Telephone Play previews on July 2, 3 & 4; tire comic re-telling of the lH37:The Farmers' Revolt previews on July 11 ; and The 4th Line Farm Show, a musical, previews on August 7 and 8. Preview prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Performances take place on The Winslow Farm, Zion 4th Line, Cavan Township, south of Millbrook, Ontario. The village is north of Hwy. 401 and just off Hwy. 115, 20 minutes southeast of Peterborough. Call (705) 932-2518 for correct showtimes. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL -- Bowmanville Baptist Church on tire 3rd Concession just west of Liberty Street N., runs a Vacation Bible School for children aged 6 to 12 from July 7 to 11. The hours are from 1 til 3 p.m. No pre-registration required. Those attending will participate in bible lessons, puppet puppet skits, drama, songs, games and crafts. For more information call 623-8460. BEAT DRUG DEPENDENCY -- A 12-step discussion group for those trying to recover from chemical dependency meets every Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at Liberty Pentecostal Church, 900 King Street East, in Oshawa. Call 576-7848 for information. YARD SALE ITEMS NEEDED -- The Clarington Pet Connection seeks yard sale items on a continuing basis for its "KRAC0" CARPENTRY & CONTRACTING Est. 1976 Complete Carpentry Services • Designing • Custom Built Homes • Renovations • Additions • Decks, etc. William Kraayvanger P.O. Box 14, Bowmanville ON L1C 3K8 (905) 623-1101 ' 'OJ.R JAMES R. YANCH Trustee In Bankruptcy Offering all insolvency services including personal and corporate bankruptcies OSHAWA 122 Albert St. - 72I-7506 Ajax: 50 Commercial Avc, - 619-1473 Cobourg: 72 King St. W. - 372-4744 Saturday and evening appointments available. FREE Initial consultation, ©j.p. booth at the Courtice Flea Market. Proceeds go to help homeless homeless pets. Call 623-6631 if you can help. BETHANY OUTDOOR THEATRE -- For its 13th season, The Bethany Outdoor Theatre presents C. S. Lewis' timeless children's, classic the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, the story of four children and their adventures in the enchanted land of Narnia. The play runs July 3 to 6. Show time is 8 p.m. at the theatre located at 288 Bethany Hills Road (Manvers 11th Line) north of Hwy 7A and just east of Hwy. 35. Tickets are available at the site. For more information call (705) 277-1238. LIFELONG LEARNING -- The Northumberland/Clarington Centre for Individual Studies on Maple Grove Road celebrates ten years of service to the community. community. The centre continues to offer high school credits for students wishing to complete requirements for a Grade 12 diploma. As well, the adult education centre offers computer courses, including instruction in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect 6.1, Excel, Access and Simply Accounting. Registration for fall courses continues until the end of June and then resumes on August 25. For more information, call 623-6505. Agriculture Museum Gets New Name The Ontario Agricultural Museum began its weekend-long Grand Re-opening celebration today by announcing it has changed its niame to The Farm Museum. The announcement was made at a news conference hosted by Bob Monte, chairman of Country Heritage Experience, Inc., the not-for-profit corporation that took over the previously government-operated government-operated museum on April 1st. Examples of the new graphics, graphics, including a new logo, outdoor signs and souvenir merchandise, merchandise, were also shown. "The new name and visual style are the result of an intensive process in which we re-assessed the way people perceive us and, accordingly, we re-evaluated the way we should be presenting ourselves to the public," Bob Monte explained. "Through various discussions and focus groups, we saw that we needed our name and our image in general to be less formal and more upbeat. We wanted our graphics to convey a friendlier, more appealing look. Visiting the museum is always an informative, engaging experience, experience, but it's also a lot of fun and there's always lots of different things going on. That's the message - the fun, the entertainment, the one-of-a-kind activities that happen in a unique, farm-oriented historical setting - and that's what our new look and our new approach will help us communicate." Hooper's Jewellers... Antique Pocket Watches and Modern Watch Repairing Wc use only Ircsli Maxell watch and electronic equipment huileries. All watches purchased include a FREE lifetime battery replacement. Come in and see our collection of Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks - Sales and Service - Hooper's Jewellers 39 King St. W. 623-5747 Bowmanvillc, Quality Body Work Quality Painting FREE ESTIMATES ON BOTH INSURANCE AND NON-INSURANCE WORK Open 5 Days a Week Monday through Friday r COWANf* PONTIAC -- BUICK LTD.^E BOWMANVILLE -- ONT 166 King Street East Telephone 623-3396 ■ OJ.P. "We're usually going out when everybody else is coming coming in," he says. COMRA is involved in 40-50 search and rescue missions per year, and have already made at least one rescue this season, battling battling freezing rain and high waves on Lake Ontario. Boaters in distress can reach the Marine Rescue Association for help by either calling on Channel 16 on marine radios, or alerting the Canadian Coast Guard in Trenton, who will put COMRA on the case. Durham Regional Police (DRP) have just recently become actively involved in policing on Lake Ontario, though they have been patrolling Lakes Scugog and Simcoe for the past 10 years. Because of the purchase of a Zodiac, which is a sea-worthy vessel, the police department can now be a little more helpful helpful on the larger lake. Inspector Mills says DRP's role has "expanded to meet demand on Lake Ontario." He states that the number of erratic boaters is comparable to the number of bad drivers. "Most boaters are very cognizant of laws and adhere to them. It's just like the roads, where most people are good drivers," advises Inspector Mills, who contends contends that a few bad apples tend to cause water and boating boating related incidents. The DRP makes almost daily patrols of Lakes Scugog and Simcoe in the summer to try to rid the water of bad boaters. Strict Safety Standards Set Out by Canadian Coast Guard Safe boating has a lot to do with safe equipment. The Canadian Coast Guard has set out minimum requirements for various boat sizes in its manual, the Safe Boating Guide. Here are some examples of what you need to have in your boat to satisfy safety requirements. Remember, each size category has different different needs. For boats up to 5.5 metres in length, the following is required: * one approved lifejacket or PFD for each person on board. * two oars with rowlocks or two paddles. * one hand-held bailer or one manual pump. * one Class B-l fire extinguisher extinguisher if vessel has an inboard motor, or fixed fuel tank, or heating or cooking appliance that bums liquid or gaseous fuel. * lights must comply with "Collision Regulations" if permanently fitted. * some type of sound signalling signalling device. For boats more than 8 metres and up to 12 metres in length, this is what you need: * one PFD for each person on board. * one anchor with 15 metres (minimum) chain, cable or rope. * one bailer and one manual manual bilge pump. * one Class B-Il fire extinguisher extinguisher -- if vessel is power driven, or has cooking or heating appliance that burns liquid or gaseous fuel. * lights in compliance with "Collision Regulations." * one approved life buoy 610 of 762 mm in diamètre. * not less than 15 metres of buoyant line. * twelve approved distress filtres. For the necessary safety equipment for all boat sizes, get a copy of the Canadian Coast Guard's Safe Boating Guide, available through boat safety organizations and some watercraft retailers,