Safeguarding Canada’s Waterways Together
- Our Role
Safeguarding Canada’s Waterways Together
As the nation’s foremost marine safety organization, we serve as the critical link between recreational boaters, commercial maritime operators, and regulatory agencies. Through our comprehensive three-pillar framework, namely public education, enforcement support, and industry safeguarding. We uphold the highest standards of marine safety, ensuring secure and navigable waterways for all stakeholders.
As trusted liaisons, we provide critical support to enhance safety, security, and compliance across Canada’s marine industry. Our specialized services include regulatory reporting, on-water patrols, maritime security, and surveillance operations, ensuring adherence to federal and provincial standards.
By collaborating with regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders, we deliver measurable results by strengthening enforcement, mitigating risks, and safeguarding Canada’s waterways for all users.
Our mission is to foster a culture of compliance, awareness, and proactive risk mitigation, aligning with federal and provincial regulations to protect lives, property, and marine ecosystems.
- Our mission
Empowering Safer Marine Operations
The Safety Awareness Boating Alliance (S.A.B.A.) is a federally recognized non-profit organization committed to advancing marine safety across Canada’s waterways through rigorous education, proactive advocacy, and enforcement-aligned initiatives. In full alignment with Transport Canada regulations, and in cooperation with provincial authorities and industry stakeholders, S.A.B.A. works diligently to combat illegal yacht charters and unlicensed operations that undermine critical safety standards. Through public awareness campaigns, regulatory compliance support, and advocacy for stronger enforcement measures, we strive to hold unauthorized operators accountable and promote a culture of safety.
Our mission is rooted in protecting Canadian boaters by ensuring strict adherence to Transport Canada’s safety requirements, including proper vessel licensing, certified operator credentials, and mandatory safety equipment. By upholding these standards, we reduce risks, enhance passenger security, and foster safer boating practices nationwide.transport
Through building strategic alliances with law enforcement agencies, maritime legal experts, and community outreach programs, S.A.B.A. empowers the public with the knowledge to identify and report illegal charters while fostering a culture of responsible boating. By integrating education, policy engagement, and direct action, we strive to create safer, more transparent waterways where every recreational and commercial voyage adheres to the highest standards of operational integrity and passenger protection
S.A.B.A.’s work ensures that Canada’s waterways remain secure, transparent, and compliant—because protecting lives and upholding the rule of law is not just our mission, but a collective duty.
As an organization pursuing formal recognition as a trusted government partner, we aim to establish a cooperative framework that reduces jurisdictional liability exposures while addressing critical staffing challenges through innovative operational solutions. By developing compliant, scalable service delivery models aligned with public sector requirements, we provide government agencies with a reliable mechanism to maintain service continuity, mitigate institutional risk, and optimize resource allocation – ultimately strengthening the government’s capacity to fulfill its mandates while ensuring rigorous adherence to all applicable regulatory standards and operational protocols.
Our Team
S.A.B.A. is guided by an executive team of distinguished professionals whose combined expertise in aviation safety, maritime regulation, insurance risk management, and enforcement ensures rigorous compliance with Transport Canada standards and effective protection against non-compliant marine operators.
Executive Leadership
Capt. Mani Saba
Founder (Airline Captain & Entrepreneur): Leverages dual-sector experience to implement aviation-grade safety protocols in maritime operations, leading S.A.B.A.’s campaign against unlicensed charter vessels that circumvent mandatory safety certifications, vessel inspections, and crew qualification requirements.
Dr. Michael Motala
Legal Counsel (Maritime Law Specialist): Oversees all regulatory compliance matters under the Canada Shipping Act, providing strategic counsel on legislative interpretation, representing S.A.B.A. in judicial proceedings, and advising government stakeholders on marine safety policy enhancements
Gary Swanson
Chief Regulatory Officer: Directs S.A.B.A.’s regulatory monitoring program, ensuring continuous alignment with evolving maritime statutes while implementing robust compliance verification systems for commercial operators.
Capt. Howie Colt
Director of Operations: Howie Colt serves as S.A.B.A.’s Director of Operations, bringing extensive maritime regulatory expertise from his concurrent role as Vice President of the Passenger & Commercial Vessel Association (PCVA) Canada – the national advocacy organization.In this dual capacity, Howie leverages his deep understanding of self-inspected vessel operations and national safety standards to oversee S.A.B.A.’s field implementation of critical safety initiatives. His leadership ensures effective coordination of interagency enforcement actions while maintaining alignment with Transport Canada’s regulatory framework. Howie’s unique position at the intersection of industry advocacy and safety enforcement enables S.A.B.A. to bridge operational best practices with regulatory compliance, enhancing maritime safety outcomes across all Canadian waterways.
Our Enforcement & Advocacy Team
Comprising former law enforcement and maritime professionals—investigates illegal charters. This multidisciplinary approach uniquely positions S.A.B.A. to merge technical proficiency, regulatory acumen, and proactive advocacy, driving measurable progress toward safer Canadian waterways.
Together, this multidisciplinary team embodies S.A.B.A.’s mission: to combine professional excellence, regulatory rigor, and public advocacy in pursuit of a safer marine environment for all Canadians.
Why S.A.B.A.?
Illegal charters represent a clear and present danger to Canadian waterways, routinely operating without Transport Canada certification, adequate liability insurance, or properly trained crew. These operators account for a significant proportion of all serious marine incidents reported to the Transportation Safety Board.
S.A.B.A. serves as a critical compliance intermediary, addressing systemic regulatory and enforcement gaps in maritime operations. We implement comprehensive solutions to strengthen adherence to established safety protocols while combating illegal commercial activities through three core functions: active monitoring and reporting of non-compliant operations; direct public education campaigns via multiple media channels; and strategic partnerships with enforcement agencies. Our integrated approach creates an essential oversight mechanism in an industry particularly susceptible to regulatory violations, providing both preventative measures through awareness initiatives and responsive actions through coordinated reporting systems. By bridging these operational gaps, S.A.B.A. enhances maritime safety standards, promotes transparent commercial practices, and fosters a culture of regulatory compliance across all waterways.
Our Approach
S.A.B.A. employs a strategic three-phase operational methodology to combat illegal maritime activities:
1. AVOID
3. RECOVER
2. TRAP
OUR COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
Strategic Partnerships
S.A.B.A. operates in full alignment with Transport Canada regulations and works cooperatively within the federal maritime safety framework. As an independent organization, we support maritime safety initiatives through coordination with federal and provincial law enforcement agencies and port authorities, while maintaining an arm’s-length relationship with regulatory bodies.
Our collaborative framework enhances government capabilities by providing specialized surveillance, on-water patrols, and intelligence gathering to identify illegal commercial operations.
When regulatory constraints limit government action, S.A.B.A. stands ready to pursue civil remedies while maintaining strict adherence to jurisdictional protocols. We complement enforcement efforts through targeted public education campaigns that raise awareness of illegal maritime activities across digital platforms and coastal communities.
This multi-faceted approach directly supports government mandates by expanding monitoring capacity, amplifying safety messaging, and creating additional pathways for compliance – ultimately strengthening the entire marine regulatory ecosystem.
