Leaderboard

Here is a simple sign we can wear on the Bow. Only weighs about 50 lbs.

Around the flood, they were "testing out the UHMW on the bottom", and jumping the boat over some of the side channel bits on Poplar Island during high water... Good thing we're not even supposed to wade over there. It's a toy to them. Spend enough time on the river and you'll see them just spinning it in circles, taking bikini-laden women for rips, and then going for rips out of town just for the hell of it (no jurisdiction downstream of Deerfoot extender). Everyone should be taking videos of them being idiots and be sharing them widely... They cant even give out tickets without a peace officer on board, so the enforcement angle is bunk. Hell, the COs use small jet-skis and also run them quietly and away from anglers unless they're checking them.

A few weeks ago, I saw both the Calgary Police and Calgary Fire boats on the river at the same while I was fishing. There was a very distinct difference in the way the Police boat was handled compared to the idiots in the Fire boat. The Police boat looked like it was being handled by adults and was travelling at a reasonable speed paying attention to the other users on the river. The Fire boat seems oblivious to other users and appeared to be intentionally driving at high speed by other users. Not very good PR for Fire Department.

Having one less boat flying by and mudding up the shoreline with a big wake sure wouldn't hurt my feelings

I found this blurb on navigation rules on a Gov Can website. As navigable waters is a federal jurisdiction, seems authoritative. Shore-Line Speed Restrictions When boating in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, please observe the unposted speed limit of 10km/h (6 mph) within 30 meters (100 ft) from shore. This limit applies on all waters within these provinces except where other limits are posted. These provisions do not apply in rivers less than 100 meters (300 ft) in width Is the Bow less than 100 m in width?

I've personally been put in a semi-dangerous situation because of that boat needlessly bombing around. I had anchored in a calm back eddy to mess with some gear when I get a high speed flyby. The giant wake made made me come un-anchored and before I could react I'm into the main fast current with my anchor dragging and hands busy. A bit of a scramble ensued but I recovered. This happened not just the once but twice in the same afternoon. I was a bit steamed as these guys were just cruising on our dime. I'm fully supportive of emergency services and training exercises but this was just joy ridding. There's no need for that speed if it's a just patrol. Cops don't fly around with lights on running red lights just for fun. At least as far as I know.

I also laughed at the CBC report of the angst created by taking one of three fire boats out of service for one day! OMG how we survive? Your analogy of firetrucks, roaming our neighbourhoods, in search of fires is right on!

I couldn’t agree we you more! I have contended for years that the greatest danger to public safety on the Bow River, is the City of Calgary Fireboat. A danger to wading anglers, pleasure tubers and muscle powered watercraft. I have personally witnessed these crews engaging in reckless behaviours on several occasions, including running small side-channels, downstream, at speed, on a hot summer day. They only narrowly missed mowing over a family out tubing by executing an emergency stop. If the department is facing budget constraints this is an obvious place to cut. Even if this wasn’t currently the case, the value of regular patrols is dubious at best. I totally support the Calgary Fire Department and the brave men and women that work for all of us; however, I do not support the current operation and use of their fire rescue boat, on the Bow River Keep up the good fight!