North Okanagan Sailing Association Home Page

At NOSA we insist that everyone is familiar with the safety aspects when sailing and spending time on the water.

Please be aware of the temperature of the water in the lake before you undertake anything close to or in the water. Okanagan Lake temperatures warm up in June to Mid September; and the water temperatures in the spring until July 1st and then after mid- September are cold enough to lead to hypothermia with extended exposure if dunked in the lake.

Before you take a sailboat out onto the lake, even if it is just for a test sail right in front of the NOSA compound, ensure you are familiar with the operation and behaviour of the boat itself and all the related safety features.

What to carry on board of a NOSA boat for safety:

Sailboats:

One lifejacket or personal floatation device (PFD) for each person on board
A whistle
One paddle
One bailer or manual bilge pump
One buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (50’) long

Power boats (Boston whaler and Zodiac):

DOT approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD) worn by each person on board
One paddle
One bailer or manual bilge pump
One buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (50’) long
One watertight flashlight
One sound-signalling device ( whistle or horn)
Navigation lights
One magnetic compass

Remember that only NOSA members holding a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card on board may operate any of the safety boats (It’s the Law) See later on this page.

Safe sailing:

…in addition to the above we ensure we are prepared for the weather when we go sailing.
We know where we go, what the forecast is and if we go out of sight of the compound we make sure someone at the NOSA compound knows what our plans are.
Carry plenty of water and a snack. Don’t forget your sunscreen and wear a hat or cap, and carry clothing to protect yourself from the sun.

There are times when Okanagan L ake winds are fickle, and while you head out on the water to catch a good breeze, you may also find sometimes that the wind dies down and you may be on the water for hours.

Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Program

The Pleasure Craft Operator Competency (PCOC) is a Boating Safety Course created by the Canadian Yachting Association and accredited by the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada.

Anyone operating a power boat greater than 4 meters and with a motor of 10 HP or larger MUST have their Pleasure Craft Operator Card ( PCOC ) on board.

In order to obtain a PCOC you can follow this link to the Transport Canada web-site where information is provided and a list of instances where the exam material can be obtained is referred to.

You can also walk into any Canadian Tire outlet to obtain the manual and take the exam.

A power boat is any boat with an engine or motor l10 HP or larger.