Bubblers
It has been brought to our attention that there are property owners who have installed BUBBLERS in order to minimize damage to their docks because of ice build up on the lake.
YES – there is some information you should be aware of in order to preserve safety using the lake whether frozen or not. Bubblers have different capacities and may cause open or weak ice coverage a considerable distance from the dock area.
The following is a comment from the Regional Manager, Navigational Waters Protection, Transport Canada: “The only advice I can offer is to reiterate that the owner is liable and responsible under the Criminal Code of Canada for any danger resulting from creating open water by the use of a bubbler. Any due diligence to protect the public using the surface of the ice (snowmobiling, walking, ice boating, etc) such as signs, fencing, lighting, etc. would be warranted.”
The Criminal Code of Canada Section 263.1
Duty to safeguard opening in ice
263. (1) Every one who makes or causes to be made an opening in ice that is open to or frequented by the public is under a legal duty to guard it in a manner that is adequate to prevent persons from falling in by accident and is adequate to warn them that the opening exists.
Offences
(3) Every one who fails to perform a duty imposed by subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of
(a) manslaughter, if the death of any person results therefrom;
(b) an offence under section 269, if bodily harm to any person results therefrom; or
(c) an offence punishable on summary conviction.
R.S., c. C-34, s. 242; 1980-81-82-83, c. 125, s. 18.
PLEASE KEEP OUR LAKE SAFE!