FAQ
SAFE QUIET LAKES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Noise
All boats must have a muffler in good working order if operating within 5 nautical miles of shore. However, there are no limits on the amount of noise. Also, the regulations are written poorly and difficult to enforce, so enforcement agencies do not lay charges. Boat with through-propeller exhausts, which include most inboard outboards and all personal watercraft are legal.
There are bylaws in some locations such as Seguin Township that prohibit noise that is “likely to disturb inhabitants” which includes loud music from boats, however the municipalities have no jurisdiction to enforce on the water.
Many boats are equipped with what is commonly referred to as “Silent Choice” or “Captain’s Choice” system. These systems give the vessel operator the choice of either a muffled exhaust or non-muffled through-the-hull exhaust. Canadian regulations require that these optional systems must be “rendered inoperable” when operated on bodies of water within 5 nautical miles from shore which means everywhere in Muskoka and Haliburton.
If you feel a boat is violating the law you can report it to the OPP. A report that will get the most response from the police should include a detailed description of the boat, a description of the driver, registration number of the boat and the time and place of where the boat is operating.
The OPP number for noise complaints: 1-888-310-1122
Driving a boat with no muffler or bypassing the muffler, is illegal on Muskoka area lakes.
Outboard and most inboard/outboard engines comply with the law as they exhaust through the propeller hub underwater.
If you feel a boat is violating the law you can report it to the OPP. Try to report the registration number and location.
OPP number for noise complaints: 1-888-310-1122
In the fall of 2019, SQL formed the Decibel Coalition. The objective of the Coalition is to have the Small Vessel Regulations regarding boat motor mufflers enhanced to include performance standards to limit the amount of noise. Sound is measured in decibels. The Coalition wants the boat motor noise limits in decibels applied to existing boats as well to manufacturers and importers of recreational boats built, imported and sold in Canada. Efficient and effective enforcement procedures must be part of the enhanced regulations. This will give police the tools and leverage they need to get compliance with the law.
The Coalition has established members consisting of lake and environmental associations as well as municipalities from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. Presently we have over 50 members representing more than 95,000 households.
Since November 2020, the Coalition has been actively engaged with Transport Canada to lobby for these regulatory enhancements. We are very encouraged with the progress to date and believe we will achieve the desired changes. However the consultative process and reviews throughout federal government agencies means we will probably not have changes in place until late 2023 or 2024.
Wakes
In Canada there are no “no wake zones”
Close to shore (30 m) the speed limit is 10 km/hr in most of Canada. On the big Muskoka Lakes and rivers it is 9 km/hr within 30 m
Wakes, from whatever source, are one of the three major issues that Safe Quiet Lakes has identified as a priority. Solutions are difficult because Transport Canada does not have any specific regulations dealing with wakes, nor do municipalities. Buoys and signs indicating “no-wake“ zones are not enforceable and are not specifically approved by TC.
There is no regulation dealing with wakes that the OPP can enforce.
Wakes might be covered under reckless boating but this is a subjective test that
requires lots of evidence which can be very difficult to collect. For
example there needs to be evidence of the actual incident, and the boat driver (not the owner of the boat) must be identified actually causing the wake that causes the damage.
Until regulations are changed, SQL’s emphasis will be on educating boaters about the danger that could be caused by wakes. We are researching how other jurisdictions in North America manage wake issues.
As a first step we recommend you try to talk to this boater, explain the impact of their behaviour.
Often boaters are unaware of their impact and many people report success with a respectful one on one conversation.
In your situation, if you feel this is dangerous boating, we encourage you to call the OPP. They have told us, numerous times, that they want to hear from people and even if they cannot come out today they will follow-up.
- Gather as much information as possible by taking detailed notes or video including: boat registration number, colour, make, model, time, frequency and location of incident and a description of the operator.
- Call 1-888-310-1122 to report boating too close to shore, wakes, noise or other safety issues.
ALL emergency calls should be directed to 911
Signs
A private sign (non regulatory, generally called information signs) can be put up on land with approval from the landowner. It must not recreate of look like an official regulatory sign ( e,g orange circle) or convey a falsehood (e.g watch out rocks where there are not). However there are no set rules when placing signs. You should apply local knowledge of the waterway, study boaters’ behaviour, consider the shape and the size of the waterway, and the number of access points.
Unfortunately, there are no enforceable no wake rules in Canada and therefore no standard signage. There is a restriction on speed close to shore. Boats on Lake of Bays must travel 9km/hr within 30 m of shore. Placement and maintenance of speed limit signs are the responsibility of your local municipal government (just as for roads).
There are lots of makeshift signs in use. A simple “Slow – No Wakes Please” or “Please Reduce Your Wake” might help. It is important to note that Federal regulations forbid making them look like official Transport Canada regulatory signs.
Others with similar concerns have been taking the time to boat out to speak directly to the boaters to ask them to move out into the open lake. A respectful conversation explaining the impact of the wakes can make difference.
Buoys for Navigation and Anchoring & Marine toys
Placing Buoys - If your plan to let boaters know about a restriction involves placing of a buoy, you’ll need to make sure to install it following the Private Buoy Regulations (PBR) requirements.
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-99-335/page-1.html#h-1031810
For example, the buoy:
- Must be built and maintained in a manner and with materials that ensure that it will remain in position. [PBR , s. 4 (1)(e)]
- Must have an anchor built, installed and maintained in a way and with materials that will keep it in position. [PBR, s. 4(1)(f)]
- Must not interfere with or is likely to interfere with the safe navigation of any vessel; and
- Must not mislead or is not likely to mislead the boaters. [PBR, s.3]
Per the Navigation Protection Act, authorization is required for all swim rafts and water toys that are in or on a Navigable Scheduled waterway which includes Muskoka region lakes and rivers.
Buoys are governed by the Private Buoy Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-99-335/page-1.html). Under the Private Buoy Regulations, any person can place a buoy in a waterway so long as they follow the requirements in the Regulations.
There are detailed requirements for buoy design and when a private buoy does not meet legal standards, you can be asked to remove it, fines are applicable and the private buoy owner may also be found liable for any damages resulting from its placement.
https://www.tc.gc.ca/Publications/en/TP14799/PDF/HR/TP14799E.pdf
Speed
There is no speed limit on most lakes in Canada. Within 30 metres of shore the limit is 9 km/hr on the Muskoka lakes and 10 km/hr in the rest of Ontario.
It is important to realize that ALL regulations on any water body in Canada are federal regulations. Under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001) there is a facility to create special rules for a specific area. These are know as VORRs - the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR) and allow a local authority – typically a municipality - to ask the federal government to place one of 7 types of restrictions on a body of water. One of these is speed. Proof of extensive consultation with all affected parties is required to apply for a new VORR. Kahshe lake, for example has a speed limit of 70 km/hr in place under this process. While it is not impossible, these changes usually take a very long time to implement and are for individual lakes or bodies of water. A speed limit on all lakes would be an even broader national undertaking.
Per the Navigation Protection Act, authorization is required for all swim rafts and water toys that are in or on a Navigable Scheduled waterway which includes Muskoka region lakes and rivers.
Buoys are governed by the Private Buoy Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-99-335/page-1.html). Under the Private Buoy Regulations, any person can place a buoy in a waterway so long as they follow the requirements in the Regulations.
There are detailed requirements for buoy design and when a private buoy does not meet legal standards, you can be asked to remove it, fines are applicable and the private buoy owner may also be found liable for any damages resulting from its placement.
https://www.tc.gc.ca/Publications/en/TP14799/PDF/HR/TP14799E.pdf
VORRs
Transport Canada regulates oceans, lakes and waterways across the country. A Vessel Operation Restriction Regulation (VORR) can be put in place to address safety concerns where no other Act, Regulation or Regulatory regime applies and where there is no other alternative than to restrict the waterway. VORR’s can be put into place for safety, public interest or environmental reasons. There are currently 330 VORRs in place across Ontario.
VORR’s can be applied for by your municipality/township/local stakeholder like a chamber of Commerce to address local issues for safety, public interest or environmental concerns. It is a lengthy multi-step process but there are supports and information from Transport Canada.
If approved the applicant would be responsible for the placing/replacing of signage along the shore of the waterway, and/or buoys and on going maintenance.
It is the responsibility of the municipality/township/stakeholder who applied for the VORR to install and pay for VORR signs. Individuals are responsible to pay for private ones.
Safety
You are required to wear life jacket on PWC’s.
- By law, every boat in Ontario must carry a lifejacket or personal floatation device for each person on board.
- They do not have to be worn while on the water but should be readily available in an emergency.
Sea Planes
As a first step we recommend you try to talk to your neighbor. Often people are unaware of their impact on others. We hear regularly of improvements with a respectful one on one conversation.
In 2016, we wrote to Transport Canada to get advice on the rules for seaplanes. Here’s a portion of their answer:
“It is a pilot’s responsibility to ensure that takeoffs and landings are conducted in a safe manner, given existing environmental conditions, and in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs). This includes floatplanes.
....
It should be noted that a floatplane maneuvering on water is considered a vessel, and its operations are therefore regulated under the Canada Shipping Act. Under the Collision Regulations of that Act, Rule 18 states that a floatplane on the water must, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. “
Snowmobiles
We share your concern about the use of these machines on the water. This kind of activity doesn’t follow our Boaters Code as they create excessive noise and disrupt the peaceful enjoyment of the lake.
We reached out to Transport Canada to inquire whether these are legal and under what circumstances. The response to date is that snowmobiles are not considered vessels. We are hoping to find out more including the basis of this decision from Ottawa.
See an Infraction?
The Federal Government regulates boating.
- It is important to realize that ALL regulations on any water body in Canada are federal regulations. The Province and your municipality cannot create regulations on boating in Muskoka or any other lakes.
- In Ontario, Transport Canada has delegated enforcement to the OPP
You must report a boating accident “only when a fatality occurs “.
- Otherwise boating accidents need not be reported. As a result the OPP and others have no trend line on accidents or information on accident hot spots.
- The federal government has a voluntary system whereby a Province would agree
that accidents would be reported to Transport Canada. Ontario has not signed on to this program
The OPP number that everyone should call to report marine incidents or enforcement issues is 1-888-310-1122 but ALL emergency calls should be directed to 911.
Safe Quiet Lakes
Safe Quiet Lakes has received financial support from individuals, small and large lake associations and three townships across Muskoka. The amount is rising weekly as we spread word of our initiative out to like-minded organizations and individuals. To make a donation yourself, please visit safequiet.ca.
Safe Quiet Lakes pays for printing of education and communication tools such as our very popular navigation stickers and Boater’s Code signs. From 2014-2018 we hired a summer intern to visit marinas and boating events throughout the region, supporting our volunteers and distributing materials. We now have a year-round part time staff position.