Yes, it’s time again for the Annual Boundary Creek Yacht Club Light Parade on Saturday night July 27th. For those that don't know about this, Winnipeg Beach has a huge fireworks display on that night in celebration of their "Boardwalk Days".
Us boaters not only take our boats out of the harbour to watch these fireworks. A lot of us decorate our boats with Christmas Lights and when the fireworks are finished we do a parade, along the beach front and back to the harbour similar to Canada Day. Everyone is invited to take part. The more the merrier.
Jeff Arnason is in sharge and can fill you in on any details or questions you might have. He has decided that the theme of this years light parade is "Caribbean, Carnival, Reggae Music and, all that kind of thing". That should be real fun. Anyone got a lighted Palm Tree or Parrot from their patio, to put on the bow of their boat?
These are some very important precautions we should all follow:
1. Do not put any lights across in front of your helm/windshield.
2. Turn all helm area lights off or set your dimmer switch to the lowest setting. Darkness is your friend in the helm area. It allows your eyes to adjust to the darkness outside and improves your night vision. If you must have lights in your helm area keep them dimmed.
See US Coast Guard Recommendations about night vision http://www.the-lake-life.com/boating-after-dark-follow-these-safety-tips/
See US Coast Guard Recommendations about night vision http://www.the-lake-life.com/boating-after-dark-follow-these-safety-tips/
3. When
decorating your boat be sure to put some lights across your stern, so that you
are clearly visible to any boat approaching you from behind. Most of us neglected this area last year.
4. Remember your regular Navigation lights will not really be very visible amongst all the other lights out there so, be very very careful and go very slow. When following other boats, all your extra lights can make your vision and visibility difficult.
4. Remember your regular Navigation lights will not really be very visible amongst all the other lights out there so, be very very careful and go very slow. When following other boats, all your extra lights can make your vision and visibility difficult.
TAKE CARE, HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE SIGHTS