Dows Lake

ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR CAPTAIN CERTIFICATION AT DOWS LAKE 

Pre-Trip 

2-3 Days Before the Trip 

• Contact group organizer to confirm number of guests & wheelchairs & cell phone number of someone who will be travelling with the group 

• Remind organizer to complete waivers and bring them to the boat 

• Explain weather policy (no-go if thunderstorms, possible if light rain) 

• Confirm all arrangements/changes with mate 

Arrival  

• Be on board at least 45 minutes before departure time 

• Bring your boat operator’s licence, parking pass, water, sunscreen, etc. 

• ALWAYS carry a cell phone 

Boat  

• Remove back canvas covers

• Open the storage box (lock combination: LAST)

• Help mate put out chairs and life jackets 

• Use inflatable PFDs for guests in wheelchairs 

• Unlock the safety equipment (paddles, ladder) from the ramp so everything is readily accessible (lock combination: 4030)

• Help mate deploy the ramp (wear gloves) 

• Check propeller (damage, weeds) 

• Retrieve keys from the storage box

• Open the battery box and flip the red battery switch to ON

Starting Procedure at the Console:

1. Submerge or Hook Up Water: Lower the motor into the water so the water intake is fully submerged.   

2. Attach the Kill Switch: Snap the emergency stop lanyard to the kill switch on the motor or control box. 

3. Shift to Neutral: Ensure the gear shift is strictly in the neutral position. The motor will not start, or could dangerously lurch forward, if it is in gear. 

4. Prime the Fuel System: Squeeze the primer bulb in the fuel line until it feels firm. This fills the carburetor's float bowl with gas. 

5. Apply Choke or Primer: Carburetors need a richer fuel mixture when cold. Activate the choke (which restricts air) or the primer (which injects extra fuel directly). On many throttle controls, you do this by pulling out a choke knob or pressing the key in while turning.  

6. Advance the Throttle: While keeping the motor in neutral, advance the throttle lever slightly (about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way). This gives the engine the extra air and fuel it needs to catch.  The large round pushbutton at the base of the throttle will permit the throttle to be advanced with the motor still in neutral. 

7. Crank the Engine: Turn the key to the start position. 

8. Warm Up and Adjust Choke: Once the engine catches, immediately back off the throttle to an idle and slowly disengage the choke. Allow the motor to idle and warm up for 1–3 minutes before shifting into gear. 

9. Check gauges – fuel, oil, temperature 

10. Check water stream (cooling outflow) from engine 

Interaction with Guests 

• Greet the group upon arrival 

• Bathroom check and weather protection (jacket, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water) 

• Assist boarding, loading, and weight distribution 

• Presentation of the crew 

• Brief overview of the trip 

• Explain the safety measures (ensure everyone on board is wearing a life jacket, staying seated, etc.) 

• Collect waiver forms

During Trip 

Boating 

• Coordinate with mate for unmooring & leaving the dock 

• Maneuver around other boats, including rental kayaks and paddleboats

• Respect the very low wake limit along the canal

• Assess and manage wind 

• Turn the boat around at the NAC

• Upon return, dock the boat no further than by Mexi’s, facing west so guests exit on the starboard side

• After guests have left, turn the boat around so the next trip’s guests board on the port side and the trip begins eastward 

Social 

• Interaction with guests and staff 

• Interaction with other boaters 

Post-Trip 

Social 

• Thank guests for joining us, indicate closest bathroom 

• Help guests disembark 

• Check that none of their belongings are left behind 

• Dealing with donations 

• Complete the logbook 

Technical 

• Turn off the motor upon mooring 

• Raise the motor, check and remove weeds from prop and water intake holes

• Return the battery switch to OFF, lock the box 

• Help mate put away the ramp 

• Stack chairs (back side up) and life jackets in the storage box 

• Return keys to hidden location 

• Help mate close the canvas 

General Info

Safety Procedures 

Water Safety Essentials 

• Life jacket types, sizes & inspection 

• Safe practices (no standing, balanced movement) 

• Common hazards: cold water shock, currents, entanglement 

• Sun hat, sunscreen, hydration 

Emergency Procedures 

• Man overboard: spot, alert, throw, retrieve 

• Engine failure response 

• Activating Emergency Services (911) 

• CPR & first aid 

Environmental & Legal Considerations 

• Awareness of local regulations (speed limits, protected areas) 

• Marine wildlife protection 

• Weather readiness: reading forecasts, wave conditions 

• Invasive species prevention (boat cleaning, draining) 

Accessible Washroom Location

On the side of the Pavilion, facing the gas pump bay

Filling Up the Gas Tank

1. Drive the boat to the gas bay on the south-west side of the Pavilion

2. Dock the starboard side of the boat against the wall and shut off the motor

3. If there is no attendant, ask the mate to go to the rental kiosk as their staff operate the pump

4. All crews disembark during the fueling process

5. After returning the boat to the boardwalk, walk to the rental kiosk to pay. Keep the receipt, take a photo and send an invoice to treasurer@catchasmile.ca indicating the nature of the expense

Parking

• We have two free parking spots behind the Naval Reserve Unit / Curling Club. Vehicles must park by the utility pole and garbage bins, about half-way into the lot, on the right. 

• We have passes to be displayed on the dashboard. 

• Guests can be dropped off at the pavilion, but their vehicles cannot remain there for the trip. We can provide them with a parking pass, if needed.

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