City wants better lighting for pier in wake of boat crash

PENTICTON – The Kiwanis Walking Pier might get better nighttime lighting in the wake of a boat crash earlier this month.

A 28-foot boat collided and landed on top of the far end of the pier on the night of July 9 sending several tourists scrambling for cover. No one was hurt. The boat's owner said the pier is not very well lit.

The city is considering warning lights that are motion-detector activated, facilities manager Chuck Loewen said. These lights have already been used on private docks and the city is looking at a total cost between $8,000 to $10,000. The municipality needs permission and advice from Transport Canada though. The federal body is looking at the city's application this week.

Transport Canada has said what the city has, a large blinking red light, at the end of the pier is what is required. The pier does extend far out into the water though so the city wants more lights to warn off boaters.

"About a year and a half ago our department checked with Transport Canada for additional lights," Loewen said. The agency turned them down. Officials told the city additional lights can attract boaters to a pier, dock, etc, and this is a concern of Transport Canada.

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