New rule at Summerside wharf requires everyone wear personal flotation device

There's a new rule requiring anyone on the Summerside wharf including those fishing to wear a personal flotation device(PFD), such as a life jacket.

David Huestis, the wharfinger andproperty manager with the Summerside Port Corporation, said the use of life jackets within onemetre of the edge of the wharfis a requirement fromTransport Canada.

"It's put there for people's safety. Right now if we look out, the tide is down, we'relookingat, at least a 10-foot dropoff the side of our wharf," he said.

"If anyone was to go inaccidentally, it could cause injury but if they have theirPFD on, at least we know that they're going to be floating when they hit that water."

Huestissaid because the marine terminal falls under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Transport Canada, anyone using it must comply with the safety regulations.

'This PFD has saved my life'

The change is something that many lifelong fishers will have to get used to.

Gabriel Stewart has been fishing off the wharf since 1958, andsaid he's a big fan of PFDs.

"I was up at Mill River and I started the motor and it threw me out of the boat. And this PFD has saved my life so pretty valuable piece of equipment."

Sign of the times

Huestis said compliance has been pretty good.

"I wouldn't say it's 100 per cent, but we're definitely over 90. For the most part, when people that don't have a PFD on, if I approach them, they are more than willing to get a PFD and have it on the next time they come for a visit."

He said it's a sign of the times.

"There's change, and this is one of the changes that is happening on our wharf."

More P.E.I. news