The general manager of the 91大黄鸭 Paddle Centre is crediting his staff for their quick response after one of the club鈥檚 outrigger canoes was struck by a motorboat on Okanagan Lake.
The collision happened Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 19) during a recreational adult program with five people in the canoe. GM Fraser McIntosh said staff reacted exactly as they had been trained.
鈥淚t was probably the two best individuals we had in that boat to deal with the situation and to get it (canoe) out of the way as best they could beforehand,鈥� McIntosh said. 鈥淛ust very, very fortunate to have them there.鈥�
The canoe had stopped on the water for some coaching and instruction when the motorboat came up directly behind it.
鈥淟ooking right behind you is the hardest place to check,鈥� McIntosh said. 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 realize it was happening until they could hear the boat, which was very close when it occurred,鈥� McIntosh explained. 鈥淥ur staff鈥elled to the paddlers in the boat to jump if they could before the collision happened.鈥�
Three of the five paddlers made it out before the boat went over top of the canoe, while the other two were far enough forward that they were not directly hit. There were no serious injuries.
McIntosh said his first concern was for the safety of the paddlers and staff.
鈥淚f our staff didn鈥檛 have their PFDs (personal flotation devices) on, they wouldn鈥檛 have been able to support that boat, which they were able to do from the water, to keep it from tipping,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey also were able to phone 911. So just those little things made a huge difference.鈥�
The motorboat operators remained on scene and helped after the crash, as required under Transport Canada rules if there is damage over $5,000, he explained.
鈥淥ur outrigger canoes are worth more than that.鈥�
The RCMP was also notified.
McIntosh said while KPC paddlecraft have had close calls before with powerboats and jet skis, this is the first time a motorboat has actually struck one of the centre鈥檚 canoes.
He also had a message for anyone heading out on Okanagan Lake.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important that everyone鈥檚 aware of the surroundings on the lake and always have a lookout,鈥� McIntosh said. 鈥淢otorboats are responsible for staying clear of anyone who鈥檚 slower than them鈥攕ailboats, paddlecraft, fishing boats, swimmers.鈥�
McIntosh encouraged boaters to review Transport Canada rules and to remember that everyone on the water has a responsibility to keep each other safe.
鈥淥ur staff handled the situation incredibly well,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t just reinforces all the things we already do, making sure we鈥檙e very well educated on how to handle emergency situations and the rules on the water.鈥�
