Steer clear of port operations and commercial activities on Vancouver's waterways — that's the message from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority after a recreational boat nearly collided with a freighter earlier this month.

The incident, which was captured on one of the port's surveillance cameras, occurred on the evening of July 17 when the freighter was heading for First Narrows and the Lions Gate Bridge.

"The wake of the speedboat basically was up to the bow of the vessel," said Chris Wellstood, harbour master and director of marine operations and security for the port authority.

"The speedboat was approaching the large vessel port to port. It looked like he was going to pass it on the port side, and he changed his mind and altered course and ran right in front of the bow of the deep-sea vessel and created a very dangerous situation there for himself.

"If you want to compare, it's like a bike crossing in front of a city bus."

VPD considering charges

The Vancouver Police Department has opened an investigation into the incident which is ongoing, Const. Brian Montague said in an email.

Montague said the VPD has identified the boat and spoken with the operator as well as the owner of the vessel, and "several charges are being contemplated."

All vessels operating within Canada's waterways are subject to federal collision regulations as well as Canada's Criminal Code.

The port authority has issued a warning to recreational boaters, reminding them not to obstruct shipping lanes or areas where commercial ships anchor and to be cautious in high activity areas.

"Never assume that a larger vessel can see you," Wellstood said.

"Prepare yourself well. Know what you do. Follow safe boating practices. Understand your responsibilities."

The port's safe boating guide contains a map that indicates the deep-sea transit routes through First and Second Narrows and states that boaters should be cautious when crossing these routes, stay to the right of the channel and not cross the channel in front of deep-sea vessels.

With files from Deborah Goble