Canadian COVID-19 News

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Maybe it's a bunch of new boaters who don't know they are supposed to be licensed or registered, and don't understand the protocols around flags.

Actually, if they ARE Canadian boats in Canada, I don't there's a requirement, legal or informal, to fly the Canadian flag. Yesterday I was speaking with the owner/captain of a beautiful, immaculate 1938 40' launch who flies the old red ensign of the period.

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Maybe it's a bunch of new boaters who don't know they are supposed to be licensed or registered, and don't understand the protocols around flags.

Could be. Except for the RCMP out looking for American boats last summer (and there wasn't a lot of that. We only saw them twice) there's very, very little law enforcement on the water around here outside of Vancouver Harbour. The Harper government cut budgets to the bone and one way the RCMP responded was to cut operational funding (read fuel) for their patrol fleet. Those big Mann diesels are thirsty! Some local detachments have RHIB's but they are rarely out except on lovely summer days when the guys want to get out of their cruisers!

[Kelkara]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

30', 40'+ both power and sail - all, I'm confident, with engines considerably bigger than 10hp. I know the Canadian rules and would not have written the post had it been little stuff. Besides, considering the tides, currents, and remoteness of the area, we don't see too many boats with less than 10hp except tenders - and I wasn't commenting on them.

I was just asking ... Despite tides and currents, a bit further south I see lots of 25-30ft sailboats (but not powerboats) with 8-9.9HP engines, even some (mostly semi derelict) 40+ sailboats. Most of the better maintained ones do have names though.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

Actually, if they ARE Canadian boats in Canada, I don't there's a requirement, legal or informal, to fly the Canadian flag. Yesterday I was speaking with the owner/captain of a beautiful, immaculate 1938 40' launch who flies the old red ensign of the period.

I'm not sure about legal, but flying your country's flag is certainly standard practice all the areas I've cruised. I thought there was some reg. that required it, but I could certainly be wrong.

Originally Posted by Scorpius

Could be. Except for the RCMP out looking for American boats last summer (and there wasn't a lot of that. We only saw them twice) there's very, very little law enforcement on the water around here outside of Vancouver Harbour. The Harper government cut budgets to the bone and one way the RCMP responded was to cut operational funding (read fuel) for their patrol fleet. Those big Mann diesels are thirsty! Some local detachments have RHIB's but they are rarely out except on lovely summer days when the guys want to get out of their cruisers!

Yeah, I guess that's an issue everywhere. It could very well be as you suspect. You could make a call to the local authorities if you really believe these are foreign boats flaunting the law.

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Kelkara

I was just asking ... Despite tides and currents, a bit further south I see lots of 25-30ft sailboats (but not powerboats) with 8-9.9HP engines, even some (mostly semi derelict) 40+ sailboats. Most of the better maintained ones do have names though.

True enough.

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I'm not sure about legal, but flying your country's flag is certainly standard practice all the areas I've cruised. I thought there was some reg. that required it, but I could certainly be wrong.

I don't believe it's a legal requirement for a Canadian boat within Canada - and there are lots of boats around here that don't fly the flag. They're expensive!

[Qismat]

Its definitely not a requirement to fly a flag here - We haven't had a canadian flag since ours shredded in the winter, all the while cruising all over BC.

I'm really hoping this border stuff gets sorted soon - We're supposed to head down to california in August.

[Kelkara]

I don't know if it applies to unregistered (or optionally registered) pleasure craft, but this is the flag rule...

Right to fly Canadian flag
64 (1) A Canadian vessel has the right to fly the Canadian flag.

Obligation to fly flag
(2) The master of a Canadian vessel, other than one registered in the small vessel register, shall ensure that it flies the Canadian flag
(a) when signalled to do so by a government vessel or a vessel under the command of the Canadian Forces; or
(b) when entering or leaving, or while moored at or anchored in, a port.

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Kelkara

I don't know if it applies to unregistered (or optionally registered) pleasure craft, but this is the flag rule...

Right to fly Canadian flag
64 (1) A Canadian vessel has the right to fly the Canadian flag.

Obligation to fly flag
(2) The master of a Canadian vessel, other than one registered in the small vessel register, shall ensure that it flies the Canadian flag
(a) when signalled to do so by a government vessel or a vessel under the command of the Canadian Forces; or
(b) when entering or leaving, or while moored at or anchored in, a port..

Interesting. Is the "Small Vessel Register" the one that keeps track of "licensed" vessels? - as opposed to those federally registered?

And is "port" only those places with a federal Port Authority? Or anywhere with any port authority? Or anywhere where you might tie up or put the hook down? - like here in Squirrel Cove?

If so, I guess we should be flying the flag more often - despite the replacement cost!

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Qismat

Its definitely not a requirement to fly a flag here - We haven't had a canadian flag since ours shredded in the winter, all the while cruising all over BC.

I'm really hoping this border stuff gets sorted soon - We're supposed to head down to california in August.

My guess is the US/Canada border will re-open July 21, August 21 at the latest. Pressure to re-open it is growing and the reasons to keep it closed are rapidly diminishing - although the variants might have some impact on the decision.

[AiniA]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

My guess is the US/Canada border will re-open July 21, August 21 at the latest. Pressure to re-open it is growing and the reasons to keep it closed are rapidly diminishing - although the variants might have some impact on the decision.

I suspect that there could be an issue when Canadian tax rates are substantially higher than US rates. Already higher for first jabs with second coming on strong. It will be a horror show trying to determine who has had their two shots, in particular for Americans where some states actively thwart anything resembling a vaccination passport.

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by AiniA

I suspect that there could be an issue when Canadian tax rates are substantially higher than US rates. Already higher for first jabs with second coming on strong. It will be a horror show trying to determine who has had their two shots, in particular for Americans where some states actively thwart anything resembling a vaccination passport.

That typo threw me for a loop then made me laugh out loud. Darn Canadian tax rates...

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Kelkara

I don't know if it applies to unregistered (or optionally registered) pleasure craft, but this is the flag rule...

Right to fly Canadian flag
64 (1) A Canadian vessel has the right to fly the Canadian flag.

Obligation to fly flag
(2) The master of a Canadian vessel, other than one registered in the small vessel register, shall ensure that it flies the Canadian flag
(a) when signalled to do so by a government vessel or a vessel under the command of the Canadian Forces; or
(b) when entering or leaving, or while moored at or anchored in, a port.

We're currently anchored in Squirrel Cove on the NW corner of Desolation Sound. I can see definitively whether 19 transient (not counting the two scruffy live-aboards clearly permanently moored) boats (presumably all Canadian) are flying flags or not. Thirteen are flying the Canadian flag (two improperly - via spreader halyards like a Courtesy Flag except too big) and six are not.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Kelkara

I don't know if it applies to unregistered (or optionally registered) pleasure craft, but this is the flag rule...


Right to fly Canadian flag
64 (1) A Canadian vessel has the right to fly the Canadian flag.

Obligation to fly flag
(2) The master of a Canadian vessel, other than one registered in the small vessel register, shall ensure that it flies the Canadian flag
(a) when signalled to do so by a government vessel or a vessel under the command of the Canadian Forces; or
(b) when entering or leaving, or while moored at or anchored in, a port.

Sounds like flying the maple leaf is not a requirement for Canadian pleasure craft in Canada, but it is still a right. I've always thought it was part of being a good mariner, but I guess like many things, local practices differ.

[GordMay]

Thunder Bay's COVID-19 turnaround 'incredible,' district medical officer of health says as cases approach 0
➥ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thund...2021-1.6078517