Paddlers and residents of Belcarra are lauding new rules to slow boaters as they head up Indian Arm while authorities are working to ensure more take heed.
Since the fall of 2021, speed buoys have restricted boaters to 5 knots as they traverse the waters of Burrard Inlet between Belcarra and Deep Cove, from Boulder Island to Jug Island.
Colleen MacDonald, who lives at Whiskey Cove, says the reduction from the previous speed limit of 10 knots is making a difference for paddlers in canoes and kayaks, as well as residents with waterfront properties.
“With the wake of a boat calmed down, a kayaker or paddle boarder is much more stable and less likely to tip going over a wave,” MacDonald said. “I feel there are more flocks of kayaks enjoying this part of the inlet.”
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority that regulates marine traffic in Burrard Inlet said it implemented the new speed restrictions in response to an increase in recreational boating and paddling.
“We set speed restrictions to help ensure navigational and public safety in our jurisdiction,” said the authority in an email to the Tri-City News. “The Indian Arm South area is used year-round by recreational boaters including kayakers, paddleboarders, jet-skiers, canoers and other boaters.”
The authority said it periodically reviews speed restrictions based on technical guidance from harbour patrol officers. The previous 10 knot speed limit had been in place since 2018.
Enforcement is done by local police or Transport Canada. Harbour patrol officers are also on the water every day to educate boaters
“The safety of recreational boaters is a top priority,” added the port authority.
Cpl. Neil Roemer, who supervises the Rural section of the Coquitlam RCMP that is responsible for patrolling Indian Arm said there’s been a “moderate level of compliance” with the new speed restriction.
“Some people are aware while others are not.”
Roemer said when his officers stop a vessel that’s been speeding through the slow zone, they’ll use the opportunity to educate the operator about the new restriction and conduct a safety check under the Canada Shipping Act to determine the boat has all the required safety equipment on board.
MacDonald said while some boaters seem to have been caught unaware of the new restrictions, most have slowed.
“Previously boats would zip up and down the inlet and now I can say about 80 per cent have slowed down,” she said. “The challenging thing for them is that five knots is very, very slow so keeping the boat at such a low speed is difficult.”
The port authority said boaters were given a 30-day notice period to provide feedback. After it was reviewed and the change made, the new restriction was posted to its website as well as in an information bulletin that was also shared on its social media channels. Signs were also posted at locations like marinas.
MacDonald said as more boaters become aware of the new rules, she expects compliance will only improve.
“At first I was skeptical that the slow zone wouldn’t work,” she said. “But now I’m loving it.”
