Please accept my comments in…

Please accept my comments in regards to the proposed amendment to Ontario Regulation 161/17, camping on water over Ontario’s public lands.

In reviewing this amendment, it appears that the legal use of properly certified marine water crafts have been included in such use. I can not quite understand in the reasoning of such changes that water crafts be included in a class of a floating cottage. Floating cottages are simply not a water craft nor a barge as in my opinion do not qualify as such. Such floating cottages are not equipped nor designed to be a water craft as such to be designed as a transient craft, including such items as collision regulations items such as navigation lights, anchor lights, and specific designs as to be a water craft.

I have been sailing for 35 years in the North Channel cruising style grounds where anchoring in safe harbours is common practice. Boaters in my area in general have great respect for the environment that surrounds us. Yes, we may make use of the shoreline, but I can assure you that in my 35 years of cruising that I have seen minimal abuse of the environment.

Such new regulations can harm our local economy as our area is highly dependant on the recreational boating industry. Millions of dollars are spent annually in our local area in all aspects of boating, including marina fees, local shopping, services, etc.

In most part with the cruising boats, long duration stays are not a normal practice, and in most part, if a long stay is required, it is simply due to the fact of bad weather. In practice, most boats can not stay for long duration as they are limited to water reserves and black water holding limitations.

Houseboats have also been included in the class of liveaboard use. In my opinion, houseboats are considered a watercraft as they have been designed with it’s intended use to be a watercraft with living accommodations.

With respect to the 300 meter distance from any structure or facility, this could impact some of the communities were I sail. There is a community we often sail to where it is quite common practice to anchor in the well protected harbour. The town of Gore Bay has a reputation of a place to anchor and where boaters come to spend money as it is a great community to re provision as well shop the local unique shops. The 300 meter ruling would have a drastic effect on such small northern communities.

In general, I do not agree that boats with living accommodations should be in the same class as these floating cottages. Boats are subjected to many regulations in order to be classified as watercrafts and are subjected to Coast Guard regulations, collision regulations, etc. All these regulations must comply to a strict set of guidelines which are industry wide.

I understand what the new proposal is attempting to address the sudden increase in these floating cottages that have been showing up along our shoreline. I must say that I do support your concerns on this situation. They are a concern in many communities as well as many waterways and pristine lakes.

Please do not include watercrafts that have living accommodations as part of the floating cottage group. They are two entirely different classes. Floating cottages are not a watercraft and should not be classified as one.