Thetis Island Marine Prize Extravaganza

In 2011 The Thetis Island Marine Association (TIMA) was given  authority by Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans under the Navigable Waters Protection Act to proceed with the installation of Private Spar Buoys, marine moorage application for regulation of marine buoy placement and privilege to delineate marine traffic around designated anchorage areas.

TIMA projects include:
·         Installation and maintenance of channel markers improving navigation
·         Mapping and designation of mooring anchorage areas
·         Removal of derelict vessels.
·         Transport Canada Approved harbour plan approved moorage application process. 

After several years of inactivity, a new board  stepped forward in April of 2022 to continue and build on the work of the  previous board.  The top priority of the new board  was to replace the hardware and reset the channel markers which was completed this May. 

Our next project is to update the current mooring information in Telegraph Harbour. 
We are in the process of creating a database of the existing moorings in Telegraph Harbour. The GPS  mapping coordinates have been completed and each buoy has been assigned a number.  This will be a fluid document which can be changed as the information of the buoy occupant changes, however  the number will not change.

Our intention is to create a list of the numbered buoys  with the corresponding  owners  contact information. This would help us manage our harbour and provide contact information for emergencies,  such as a collision, fire  or breakaway.  

The Transport Canada (TC)  Regulations for private buoys are quite prescriptive  and  the majority of the moorings in Telegraph Harbour do not comply.

Private Buoy Regulations (justice.gc.ca) for complete information .  Canada Shipping Act SOR/99-335
We don't expect that all the buoys  will comply  with all the regulations but we would hope to see compliance with a name and contact number of the current  mooring owner as prescribed  in the   Private Buoy Regulations:  
1d) "the buoy displays, in a conspicuous location and in a permanent and legible manner, the name, address and telephone number of its owner"
2) The owner of a private buoy placed in any Canadian waters shall ensure that the information required by paragraph (1)(d) is accurate at all times.
If you have relinquished your mooring to someone else it is important that the information on the buoy is changed  because there may be some unintended liability  issues.
Unmarked moorings could indicate that the mooring is abandoned and may be subject to  removal or reassigned.   There are several buoys missing contact information in the Harbour. 
We will have a booth at the community information day this Saturday 10-2  at Forbes Hall with a map of the existing harbour plan and mooring buoys and an opportunity to update information.
If you intend to place a mooring please contact TIMA for assistance.  We can help you do it right the first time. 
         Why become a member?
·        Have a voice on harbour planning, mooring buoy placement and transient anchorage space.
·        Support Derelict boat reporting and removal programs.
·        Give our volunteers the resources to monitor & maintain channel markers, signage and mooring buoy registration logistics.
 
Membership is $10.00 per family per annum. - register before July 1 to be eligible for our prize extravaganza.
Membership includes 1 ticket in our prize draw for :
2 BC Ferry Passes (car and Driver Mainland)
2 SeaAir  tickets
Boat related supplies 

 Why register your mooring? 

• Support an organized & equitable water access as directed by Transport Canada requirements.
•  Access to shared expenses & resources in monitoring and maintenance activities for your mooring buoy.
•  A Local Contact information source in case of emergency. 
• There is no cost to register your mooring. 

Registration  and Membership links can be found on the Thetis Island Community website  under the Community tab - the Thetis Island Marine link which is currently being updated to include form fillable pdf files for registration and membership.  

Alternatively,  you can contact us directly at thetisislandmarine@gmail.com and request membership/registration forms.

Interac e-transfers can be made at the time of application. It is important to make sure that the message  section of the transfer includes the name you want to be registered under. 

Hope to see you on Saturday 

TIMA executive