To ensure the safety of all paddlers, the following rules must be strictly adhered to.
- Be sure that you and everyone in your boat understand the basic commands of the boat. The steersperson is in charge of your boat at all times and his/her commands must be obeyed to ensure everyoneﾒs safety.
- Appropriately sized PFDﾒs must be worn properly at all times by paddlers in any dragon boat.
- Dragon boats must stay close to the shoreline. The only exception is when the dragon boat is accompanied by a coach boat. By law, paddlers are not permitted to pass under the Second Narrows Bridge.
- Attendance must be taken. The person in charge of the practice should know exactly how many paddlers are in the boat.
- Use the ﾓbuddyﾔ system. Each paddler is paired up with a seat partner and will look for that seat partner in an emergency.
- Clothing appropriate to the weather must be worn when paddling. Paddlers should have a change of clothes.
- Paddling is not permitted when there is a small craft warning, if there is any thunder or lightening, or if fog limits ability to safely navigate or to be seen.
- All paddlers should have read the club handbook and be familiar with procedures for dealing with a swamped or flipped dragon boat.
- Alcohol consumption and use of illicit drugs before or during paddling are strictly prohibited.
- Paddling after dark in the Burrard Inlet is prohibited unless you are participating in a community or a club sanctioned event with strict adherence to rules and regulations.
- There must be communication capability for dragon boat crews (a fully charged cell phone in a waterproof case or a marine VHF radio).
- Transport Canada requires the following equipment to be in the dragon boat: bailers, throw bag, at least two sound signalling devices (whistles). It is also a good idea to have an extra paddle in the boat. Ensure that this safety equipment is there and is in good condition.
- In an emergency, call early!
- Marine radio (VHS) Channels 16 or 70 are for emergency use only
- Cell phone - use *16 to contact the Canadian Coast Guard Marine Services Rescue Coordination Centre or dial 911.