Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society - Safety & Regulations

Contributions to ensuring "tubber" safety has undergone many changes since the inception in 1967 of this CRAZY sport. Trial and error resulted in regulations and rules, these have not been established to frustrate the participants or to take out the "FUN" part. Tub safety not only includes the tub and driver, but ALL of the participants, including the escort vessels, safety vessels, and all the other mariners "out there on race day".

There are a lot of people employing many communications systems that ALL focus into the Master Status board at Bathtub Control. Side nets ensure instant reaction by Canadian Coast Guard, Emergency Health ambulance response, law enforcement etc.

Once a year this band of specialist return to the "beaches", set up their antennas, clamp on their headphones and work as ONE TEAM. After approximately 6 hours, when the LAST tub has been accounted for, they bid their radio farewell. "Did a good job guys and gals - catchya next year". Remove their sweat stained headsets, knock down their antennas, and leave no mark on their passing - except the gratitude that NO tubber or mariner is unaccounted for.

This "safety net" is provided by a communications net that staggers the imagination. The World Championship Bathtub Race is probably the largest annual multi-communications exercise in North America. The communications net involves:

Maritime Mobile VHF
Canadian Coast Guard Marine VHF systems
Special land based units
Bathtub Control Nanaimo
Military Comm Squadron (Nanaimo & Winchelsea)
HF systems (Canadian Signal Corps)
HF systems (United States and Canadian Navys)
VHF military systems (U.S.A. and Canadian)
Aeronautical radio
CB (General Radio Service GRS)
Provincial Emergency VHF radio systems
RCMP, Nanaimo Port Authority separate channels
BC ambulance channels
Radio amateur peripherals
Cellular and Autotel telephone systems
Safety & The "Great" Race

Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental & Test Ranges (CFMETR)
Canadian Navy
Canadian Navy Helicopter
U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Centre (NUWC)
U.S. Navy
Canadian Coast Guard
R.C.M.P.
R.C.M.P. Marine Division
Canadian Marine Rescue Auxiliary
Nanaimo Port Authority
Nanaimo Emergency Program
St. John's Ambulance
B.C. Ambulance
Schooner Cove Yacht Club
B.C. Ferry Corporation
Burrard Clean Operations
Safety like communications has always been a very important and serious part of the make up of the "Great" RACE. Each year there is an on going effort to improve and the races impeccable safety record attests to the great efforts of so many different bodies and without their assistance the race would not go on. Following is the list of those involved in the Safety Net and as you will note in a lot of cases they are also involved in the communications side.

Note To The Tubbers:

Please refer to your SAFETY & COMMUNICATIONS rules provided to you when you register for the "Great" RACE. This information spells out how your escort boat can contact BATHTUB CONTROL with any problems that may arise during the race and please remember to always contact BATHTUB CONTROL or an official associated with the Bathtub race SAFETY & COMMUNICATIONS when and if you drop out of the race for what ever reason so you can be accounted for, remember there are family members and friends that care.

The Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society would like to sincerely thank all of the above people involved in both the SAFETY & COMMUNICATIONS and help us carry on the total commitment to SAFETY without COMPROMISE. As well as all those who volunteer their time and assist with the set up of the START & FINISH lines both on the water and on land each and every year. Without this on going assistance the "Great Race" could not possibly be held.

updated 21 Jan 2008