The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

"A Family Tradition for 133 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 16, 1999 - 3 New boating laws won't sink Easter Seals fundraiser By Chris Hall Port Perry Star New provincial boating regulations scheduled to be phased in over the next four years will not affect one of Port Perry's biggest fundraisers. John Mackey, owner of Port Perry Marina, said last week that new rules governing riders and their crafts will not spell the end of Aquarama, Scugog's annual summer fundraiser for disabled children. "No, I don't think it will affect Aquarama at all, or not too much, anyway," Mr. Mackey said last week. "It won't affect us this year or next year because it's not mandatory; it won't even really affect us until 2003." Aquarama is held annu- ally in August off the shores of Lake Scugog in Palmer Park. It features teams of four taking turns riding personal water craft -- com- monly known as seadoos -- around a course while being timed. The new rules, which will start to be phased in this summer, call for any- one who wishes to operate a water craft to possess a pleasure craft operator's card by Sept. 15, 2002. Those aged 16 and under as of April 1, 1999, who want to operate a vessel must attempt to acquire their certificate. The rules will be enforced starting Sept. 15 of this year. Operators over the age of 16 must possess a certifi- cate by the end of the sum- mer in 2002. Anyone wishing to get certified may take a test at * Port Perry Marina later this year. Mr. Mackey will get his first look at the test on April 23, and will begin the process of becoming a certification site. The suggested price from the government to write the test is $20. There is no hands-on testing required; it is all written, he said, adding that a home-study course is also available. "The test and the course just goes over the rules of the water, what equipment you need to take with you, basic laws like speeds, lights, and distances," said Mr. Mackey. "The idea is to better educate those people who use the waterways. The crux of it is not to license, but to enforce mandatory education." He is also looking at teaming up with Durham College to teach a boating safety course which would lead to a pleasure craft operator's card. While the government will be strictly enforcing the rules, there are loop- holes in the laws which will allow fundraisers such as Aquarama -- a major fundraiser for Easter Seals held each August by the Port Perry Rotary Club -- to continue, said Mr. Mackey. "We have a large rental market and we get people from out-of-country and camps that won't have had the opportunity to get cer- tified. With that, we will have a governmegy- approved dockside check- list which we will have Our Famous Semi-Annual BO SVN DD Continues... until them go over before they leave and then sign to con- firm they read it. "We can get around the problems at Aquarama by getting them to sign a form, sort of like a short rental." Mr. Mackey believes that the new rules will be beneficial for all involved. "This is a great way to educate the people who use the crafts and I don't think it will hurt business, in fact, it might be better in the long-run," he said. In addition to licensing, there are also new power regulations effective April 1, 1999. They state that opera- tors under 12 years of age will be restricted to operat- ing a vessel with no more than 10-horsepower when not directly supervised. Children between the ages of 12-16 are restricted to the operation of vessels with no more than 40- horsepower. The restriction also prohibits persons under 16 from operating a personal water craft regardless if they are super- vised by an adult. Sunday, March 21 We are making room for new spring fashions Downstairs so we are moving our fall and winter Fashions UPSTAIRS at the LOWEST CLEARANCE PRICES cver!! On selected | Footwear for men, women & kids e Fashions for men, women, kids & infants * Accessories | NEW & IMPROVED Separate room for shoes/boots Separate room for baby RAE [4 BR2CK On 178 Queen St., Port Perry 985-8334 sleepers & accessories - best selection ever!! * on new spring purch \YURNIE All Sales Final "An equivalent discount will be deducted. S BR@CK'S 168 Queen Sto. Port Perry 983-2521 MIC ALY, IATL YAR BIN TED) for Kids 174 Queen St., Port Perry 985-8797