As a result of public complaints to various levels of government, Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program continues to conduct enforcement efforts on Shuswap Lake to remove buoys which are not in compliance with Transport Canada regulations.
This year’s effort also discovered an unreported sunken vessel in the Tappen Bay area. It has been marked with a cautionary buoy until additional action can be taken.
In October, 28 buoys were removed by Transport Canada, with support from Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) staff, after 342 buoys were tagged as non-compliant in May and June. Tagging gives owners time to rectify the non-compliance prior to Transport Canada removal.
[The bow of a submerged boat in Shuswap Lake. (Transport Canada Photo)]
The proliferation of buoys on Shuswap and Mara Lakes has been a continual source of public concern, prompting numerous reports to both the CSRD and Transport Canada.
Buoys can be removed if they are not following the regulations regarding the correct size, colour and identification. This can be hazardous for boaters and other users of the lake. In addition to Federal and Provincial legislation, the installation of docks and buoys in lakes within the CSRD are also regulated by CSRD Bylaws.
A buoy placed by Transport Canada to alert boaters to the hazard of a submerged boat. (Transport Canada photo)
As a result of the CSRD’s advocacy and cooperation, Transport Canada’s buoy compliance efforts have taken place in the Shuswap and Mara Lakes in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. It was paused for a time during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these four years, approximately 969 non-compliant buoys were tagged and resulted in the removal of 166 non-compliant buoys from the Shuswap and Mara Lakes. buoy owners have voluntarily removed or rectified issues before Transport Canada returned.
For more information on Transport Canada buoy regulations, see the Transport Canada Website.
The CSRD also has its own set of regulations dealing with docks and buoys for waterfront property owners. For more on these regulations, see the Docks & Buoys regulations page of the CSRD website.