A boating fatality at Hungry Cove has prompted Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors to issue a plea for the installation of a navigation beacon to improve safety.
Darryl John Johnston, 50, of Calgary, died Aug. 16 when the boat he was driving crashed into a rock face at Hungry Cove at 9:30 p.m., throwing him into the water. Another man, who was in the boat’s cabin was seriously injured.
Rhona Martin, rural Sicamous director, introduced the motion, saying this is not the first time boaters have been injured or had boats damaged at that area, although this appeared to be the first fatality at that location.
She noted that years ago, former Sicamous Mayor Gordon Mackie had also written similar letters of request for a safety beacon to the appropriate government agencies but nothing was ever installed.
In light of the fatality and the length of time since those letters were written, Martin felt it was an appropriate time to request another safety beacon.
“There’s no rule or law that can govern common sense when driving your boat in the dark, but I think a warning light still makes sense. It may help prevent things from happening,” says Martin.
The CSRD unanimously approved the motion.