When doing vessel checks on Georgian Bay, one of the first questions asked by Ontario Provincial Police marine officers is "Do you have enough life jackets aboard for everyone?”
This past weekend, of the 65 vessels checked, nine came up short and boaters were handed tickets.
With summer here and cottage country tourist season in full swing, OPP want to remind everybody that life jackets save lives.
“Wearing your life jacket while on the water especially now even though the warm days of summer are upon us, will increase your chances of survival if you should go overboard into cool water,” said OPP in a news release.
“Be prepared for these still cool summertime water temperatures especially out in the greater areas of Georgian Bay by having the appropriate number of approved lifejackets and or floater suits on board for all vessel occupants. “
This is the Lifesaving Society's National Drowning Prevention Week.
And Marine officers weren’t just on the lookout for life jackets over the weekend.
During the officers’ tour of duty from July 14 to 17, they charged one vessel operator for a Liquor Licence Act offence, and two others for Canada Shipping Act offences.
Another 20 operators were warned of violations under the Canada Shipping Act relating primarily to the lack of essential safety equipment on their vessel.
Police also helped extinguish a marine fire near Sand Piper Bay, Beausoleil Island on Friday.
They say emergencies do happen on the water, which is why it’s important to have safety equipment in good operating order.
Vessel fire near Beausoleil Island over the weekend extinguished by the crew of the OPP patrol vessel Thomas P. Coffin. Crew ( 1 male, 2 children) escaped unharmed, Vessel towed to safety by commercial tow.
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) July 17, 2023
#SGBOPP #OPPMarinePatrol #NationalDrowningPreventionWeek ^dh pic.twitter.com/FtO8STzK3O
