SOUTHERN ALBERTA WALLEYE TRAIL
ADVERSE WEATHER CONTINGENCY PLAN
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Adverse Weather Contingency Plan is to clearly outline how the Southern Alberta Walleye Trail will monitor weather conditions, make decisions, and communicate with competitors when conditions become unsafe.
This plan is designed to protect all competitors, volunteers, and staff by providing a consistent and organized approach to handling adverse weather both before launch and while participants are on the water.
This procedure applies to all SAWT events and covers weather conditions including fog, high winds, lightning, heavy rain, hail, and any other situation that may impact safe boating, visibility, or the ability to safely manage the event.
SECTION 2. SCOPE
This procedure applies to all Southern Alberta Walleye Trail events and all participants, including competitors, tournament officials, volunteers, and support personnel.
This plan is in effect from the time competitors arrive on site through to the completion of the event on the sanctioned tournament days.
Weather monitoring, reporting, and decision making under this plan applies only during official tournament operations.
No weather monitoring or forecasting is being conducted by the Southern Alberta Walleye Trail for competitor wellbeing outside of tournament hours.
If competitors choose to be on the water outside of official tournament hours or on non sanctioned days, they do so at their own discretion and are responsible for their own assessment of weather conditions and associated risks.
The Southern Alberta Walleye Trail does not assume responsibility for conditions or activities occurring outside of official tournament operations.
This procedure is triggered any time weather conditions have the potential to impact safe boat operation, visibility, communication, or the ability of tournament officials to effectively manage and account for all participants.
This includes, but is not limited to:
• Reduced visibility due to fog or precipitation
• Elevated wind speeds or hazardous wave conditions
• Lightning in the area
• Heavy rain or hail
• Rapidly changing or unpredictable weather conditions
This plan outlines two primary response scenarios:
• Pre launch conditions
• Post launch conditions
All participants are expected to follow directions issued under this procedure.
SECTION 3. ROLES AND AUTHORITY
Tournament Directors
The Tournament Directors are responsible for monitoring weather conditions and have full authority over all weather related decisions during the event.
This includes the ability to:
• Delay launch
• Modify tournament hours
• Suspend the event
• Initiate a recall
• Cancel the day entirely
All decisions made by the Tournament Directors are final and will be communicated through official SAWT communication channels.
In most instances, communication will be issued via text message through the E Tournament Fishing app.
All competitors who are registered for the event and have the app installed will receive these updates directly and must treat this as the official source of communication.
Competitors
Competitors are expected to monitor communication and act promptly on all instructions issued during the event.
All competitors must ensure they have the E Tournament Fishing app installed and are properly registered prior to launch.
Competitors are responsible for monitoring weather conditions on the water and operating their vessels safely at all times. This procedure does not replace individual judgment or responsibility for safe boating.
If communication is not received due to service limitations, competitors are expected to act in accordance with observed conditions and this procedure.
If communication is not received or a competitor is out of service, competitors are expected to make safe decisions based on conditions. This may include:
• Reducing travel
• Seeking shelter
• Beaching the boat
• Waiting out unsafe conditions in a protected area
MANDATORY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
All competitors must, at a minimum:
• Carry all required boating safety equipment as outlined by Transport Canada
• Hold a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) or equivalent certification
• Be familiar with and capable of executing emergency procedures and safe vessel operation in adverse weather conditions
• Ensure their vessel and equipment meet all applicable federal and provincial regulations
Reference: Transport Canada Safe Boating Requirements
https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/operator-card-pcoc
Life jackets must be worn at all times:
• When the boat is under power at speeds greater than trolling speed
• At any time conditions are deteriorating or present increased risk
SECTION 4. WEATHER MONITORING AND PRE LAUNCH CRITERIA
The Tournament Directors will monitor weather conditions using the following tools and sources.
Environment Canada Weather is the official source for all forecasted conditions and advisories used in decision making.
Alberta forecast: https://weather.gc.ca/forecast/canada/index_e.html?id=AB
Wind Thresholds
Environment Canada defines strong wind conditions for small craft as sustained winds in the range of 37 km/h to 61 km/h.
For the purposes of SAWT events, a sustained wind threshold of 40 km/h has been selected as the operational ceiling for launch decisions. This threshold has been selected as a practical and conservative operational standard within the defined strong wind range, taking into account the typical size, layout, and exposure of water bodies used during SAWT events.
• If sustained winds are forecasted above 40 km/h, the day will be considered a no go
• If sustained winds are forecasted between 37 km/h and 40 km/h, conditions will be evaluated at the launch site
Visibility and Fog
Transport Canada Collision Regulations require vessels to operate at a safe speed and maintain proper lookout based on visibility conditions.
Reference: https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/collision-regulations
• If visibility is less than 100 meters, launch will be delayed
• Visibility will be assessed at the launch site
In the event of reduced visibility due to fog:
The Tournament Directors may instruct competitors to launch with navigation lights activated and hold in the designated boat staging area until visibility improves prior to the morning takeoff.
Lightning
Lightning safety will be managed in accordance with Alberta Occupational Health and Safety guidelines.
• If lightning is observed in the area or detected within 10 km of the launch site, launch will be delayed
• A minimum 30 minute period without lightning is required before launch will proceed
PRE LAUNCH DECISION FLOW
Review Environment Canada Alberta forecast
https://weather.gc.ca/forecast/canada/index_e.html?id=AB
→ Compare against wind, visibility, and lightning thresholds
→ Confirm actual conditions at launch
→ Are conditions safe?
Yes
→ Proceed with launch
No
→ Will conditions improve within a timeframe of approximately 1 to 2 hours following scheduled launch?
Yes
→ Delay and reassess
No
→ Cancel the day
→ Communicate decision through E Tournament Fishing app
SECTION 5. EMERGENCY RECALL PROCEDURE
In the event of an emergency requiring all boats to be removed from the water, whether due to deteriorating conditions, an official weather alert, or a recall issued through the E Tournament Fishing app, competitors must immediately begin returning to the designated launch location as directly and safely as possible.
Where safe and practical to do so:
• Drop co angler at shore to assist with staging
All competitors must:
• Load boats efficiently and safely
• Move clear of launch area immediately after loading
Competitors must not leave the area until they have been accounted for by a Tournament Director and given clear direction that they may do so.
Where conditions allow and it can be done safely, competitors may assist other members at the launch.
RECALL MANAGEMENT
• The first Tournament Director on site takes control of the recall process
• All returning boats will be accounted for using assigned boat numbers
If sheltering away from the launch:
• Competitors must notify a Tournament Director by text and confirm safe status as soon as possible
ACCOUNTABILITY
• All competitors must be accounted for within 45 minutes of the recall being issued
If not:
• Competitor will be considered unaccounted for
• Direct contact attempts will be made
• Emergency services will be contacted if necessary
RECALL COMMUNICATION
A recall will be issued through the E Tournament Fishing app.
Upon receiving a recall, all competitors must immediately begin returning to the designated launch location.
Once a recall has been issued:
• The tournament day is concluded
• No restart will occur
POST RECALL SAFETY
• Competitors are not to re enter the water to search for other participants
• All search or assistance efforts will be coordinated by the Tournament Directors
If individuals choose to re enter the water after conditions have improved:
• They do so independently and at their own risk