I run into these all the time now. Some of them are consuming a large area. I tend to stay away from peoples docks and boat houses anyway.
RR
LAKE OF BAYS - Dock bubblers on area lakes are posing a safety threat to snowmobilers, Lake of Bays’ finance and corporate services committee heard last week.
Dock bubblers are installed to prevent damage from ice forming around docks over the winter. Usually a compressor feeds air into a length of tube under or around the dock, circulating the water and preventing ice from forming.
Bob Island, a member of the Algonquin Snowmobile Club and the publisher and editor of Snowmobile! Central Ontario, told councillors he is not against bubblers but believes people need to be educated about the risks and responsibilities.
“Ninety per cent of people who use them, use them way too much … they take up too much ice surface,” he said. Over the last five years, he added, the number of bubblers has increased, to the point that it’s a dangerous situation.
He said bubblers are often marked with a red light, which can confuse snowmobilers. In areas of low visibility, he said riders follow each other’s tail lights and could easily drive in the direction of the red light and end up in the unfrozen water around the dock.
Island said a yellow light indicating caution would be a better choice than red.
He suggested lawsuits may occur, involving the owner of the bubbler, the installer, the manufacturer and even the township, if someone is hurt.
He added that if cottage owners check their insurance, they will find they are not covered if an accident occurs.
“The OPP are very aware of the problem,” he said. “It’s like a 400 series highway out there with bubblers on both sides.”
Coun. Nancy Tapley said the dangers of open water from bubblers across the lakes are a huge issue.
“(People) complain to me,” she said. “They can’t get out to ice fish, they can’t go out on their snowmobile … it’s an enormous problem — death waiting to happen.”
Coun. Ruth Ross questioned whether the Ministry of Natural Resources has any authority over the use of bubblers. Island said he called the ministry and was informed that it does not.
Coun. Shane Baker asked if the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has any jurisdiction.
“They’ve washed their hands as well,” said Island.
Council members stated that the municipality is powerless to do anything once something is in the water.
Coun. Ginny Burgess suggested that cottage associations be encouraged to make people aware of the potential dangers and liabilities associated with bubblers.
Mayor Bob Young told this newspaper that he is unable to venture onto the ice at his own property because his neighbour runs a bubbler.
He said last year, in an unrelated matter, a young girl nearly went through the ice when she hit a patch that had been thinned by the current from a bubbler.
“I have some sympathy for your hot-dogging snowmobilers, but not much,” he said
The waste of hydro and energy are a major concern, added Young.
“It only needs to operate four to six hours until the water level is down,” he said of the devices.
Young said that while he believes the municipality has no authority to stop bubblers, he encourages public education on the issue.
“When people realize there’s a liability to themselves and others they’ll do the right thing,” he said
