Aviva Barth Memorial Program David Noble Director of Sport Safety Ontario Underwater Council

2 Aviva Barth Memorial Program Who: Aviva Barth, a 30 year old, student diver When: August 7, 2004 at approximately 17:45 hours Where: the government dock at Big Bay Point on Kempenfelt Bay (Lake Simcoe).

3 Aviva Barth Memorial Program The Incident: Aviva Barth was killed instantly when struck by a 25-foot-long power boat travelling at a high rate of speed. She was just coming up with her diving partner in approximately 10 depth of water between a dive flag and the government dock. Police say the boaters may not be aware that they hit anything Postings about the incident on diving message boards on the Internet suggest many boaters routinely ignore dive markers, red flags with a diagonal white stripe that are hoisted on buoys to indicate divers are in the water below. boaters are often not familiar with, or are dismissive of dive markers.

4 Aviva Barth Memorial Program Why: Due to the deaths of SCUBA divers, snorkellers and swimmers in recent years, the OUC sees an immediate need to make boaters more aware of other users of the water. The OUCs initiative is to make boaters aware of the use of dive flags, what they mean and how they should be treated.

5 Aviva Barth Memorial Program The OUC will promote awareness of the scuba flag within the boating community Signage will be developed and posted at all boat launch ramps in Ontario Flyers will be produced and floating key fobs will be handed out to boaters on the water, and at trade shows Articles will be published in Boating Magazines Posters will be posted at marinas and boating clubs Guest speakers will be offer to present to boating organizations Video presentations will be produced which can be used in booths at boating trade shows, the Sportsmans Show, the Extreme Adventure Show, etc.

6 Aviva Barth Memorial Program Resources: Ontario Trillium Foundation (Grants) Transport Canada – Boating Safety Office Local OUC member clubs and OUC members Dive Shops and Charter Operators Steven Weir (publishing) Ritchard Findlay (Video production) Directors and Regional Co-ordinators Boating trade shows, Sportsmans Show, Extreme Adventure Show Canadian Coast Guard STOP program initiated by Ontario Diving members and Northern Tech Divers Municipalities and other government agencies

7 Aviva Barth Memorial Program Boater / Dive Flag Awareness Program Diver Down FlagAlpha Flag

8 Aviva Barth Memorial Program Ontario / Canadian Regulations regarding the use of Dive Flags In Canada there are NO regulations The OUC will lead an initiative to have SCUBA flags recognized in Canada / Ontario the rule of thumb is: Vessels stay 100 feet away Divers stay within 50 feet NOTE: In the USA, individual states have unique regulations

9 Aviva Barth Memorial Program Ontario / Canadian Regulations Extract from online boater safety course

10 Aviva Barth Memorial Program OUC Recommendations The use of Surface Marker Buoys should be considered mandatory in all areas where boating traffic exists. Surface Marker Buoys should be highly visible and should prominently display the "Scuba Diver Down" flag, a bright red rectangular flag with a white diagonal stripe. Ontario safe boating regulations require that boaters in the area "must take early & substantial action to stay well clear and pass at a slow speed". –"Prominent" is defined as: Easily visible from deck-height of a boat at least 100 metres/yards away –The Surface Marker Buoy and vertical Flag/Symbol should extend at least 4' vertically out of the water. –The Surface Marker Buoy and vertical Flag/Symbol should be easily visible from any direction of approach (360 degrees). This suggests that the vertical portion of the Surface Marker Buoy have 3 or 4 faces (in other words, have a triangular or square cross-section).

11 Aviva Barth Memorial Program OUC Recommendations –Surface Marker Buoys do NOT GUARANTEE that boat traffic will stay clear of your dive site. If you hear/see a boat approaching you at a high rate of speed, descend to a depth of at least 10' as quickly and safely as possible. Do not surface again until you hear that the boat traffic has safely passed. –Do not under any circumstances, tie or clip off the Surface Marker Buoy Line onto any part of your body or equipment. –Although present guidelines suggest that divers stay within 50' of their Surface Marker Buoy, the OUC recommends that when you are at the surface, you and your buddy stay within touching distance of your Surface Marker Buoy.

12 Aviva Barth Memorial Program Initiatives Underway January 13, 2007 the OUC attended the Toronto International Boat Show and recruited 4 boating organizations to handout a Boater Awareness flyer See next slide

14 How can YOU Help? Contact Any and all assistance will be appreciated

15 How to become a member of the OUC: Member Club: Individual Member: Commercial Member:

16 Questions?