Annual Symposium

The Canadian Safety Boating Council (CSBC) is hosting their annual Symposium in St. John's Newfoundland this fall.  The Symposium is an important way to promote the CSBC mission, with the event providing:

-       A professional development and learning for boating safety enthusiasts, helping raise awareness, understanding and commitment to boating safety problems and solutions;

-       A focal point for sharing new safe boating research and innovative ideas;

-       Linkages with boating safety organizations to exchange information and resources.

Each year the Symposium is held at different locations across Canada to encourage attendance from local agencies, organizations and individuals.  Presenters originate from the local, regional, national, North American and international boating safety communities, with relevance to boating safety professionals everywhere.  Boating safety initiatives discussed cover the entire gambit.

This year, the CSBC has chosen St. John’s, Newfoundland for its 2011 Symposium, a locale rich in maritime history.  It's a perfect location overlooking St John’s harbour, and also nearby is historic George Street, known for warm hospitality and live entertainment.

Who will be there?

Attendance generally approaches 100 people representing government policy makers, not for profit organizations, marine law enforcement and marine manufacturers. A strong U.S. presence has become a hallmark, with the National Safe Boating Council, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, U.S. Coast Guard in attendance as well as participants from other countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

What can I expect?

Spanning three days, there is plenty of time for work, networking and getting together with other boating safety professionals and volunteers starting with a welcome reception to kick-off the event on Thursday evening. This year’s symposium will feature two full day workshops concurrent with the main programme, focusing on “Cold Water Response” for those keen on hands-on training.

On Friday the plenary session, participants will hear from a wide variety of boating safety experts and will have a hands-on opportunity to experience a recreational vessel training simulator.  In the afternoon, a visit to the internationally renowned Marine Institue of the Memorial University of Newfounland will be organized.

On Saturday, approaches to boating safety from near and far, past, present and future will be explored with presentations from the French islands of St Pierre & Miquelon, SAR Newfoundland, organizers of the St. John’s Annual Regatta, the Canadian Rangers and the US Coast Guard and National Safe Boating Council.  The CSBC will also provide an update on its Personal Flotation Device task force. A recognition and awards reception will be followed by a closing banquet.

A Special hands on Cold Water Session ?will be held on Friday geared for educating first responders about how to recover, stabilize and transport a severely hypothermic victim. Hosted by Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, (aka Professor Popsicle), this session will educate first responders on what they need to be successful when dealing with a hypothermic victim.  

What you will take away? Here is what we heard last year!

“The Symposium exceeded my expectations. Excellent speakers and quality topics.”

"It was wonderful to meet so many passionate, likeminded boating safety people."

"I attended the Cold Water Boot Camp session on Friday and it was one of the best sessions I have ever attended, excellent job."

"Best conference I've attended so far from a knowledge dissemination perspective."

"Excellent, exceeded my expectations with good international discussion that helped others to map out the way ahead."