NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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PENETANGUISHENE – The very popular and successful "I Got Caught Wearing My Lifejacket" marine reward program for children kicked off Thursdsay at the Penetanguishene Town Dock. Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Leroux, Deputy Mayor Anita Dubeau and Peter Mount from Brokerlink Insurance joined Southern Georgian Bay OPP interim Detachment Commander Inspector Joe Evans with detachment marine officers to commence the kick off.
The program rewards children who are wearing their lifejacket when the vessel they are in is checked on the water by OPP marine officers. The program was started in 2005 and still enjoys great attention on the water with boating families.
The kick off was well attended by area media as getting the message out to the public of having and wearing your lifejacket is so important in preventing drowning fatalities. In 2018, 22 of the 24 drowning fatalities in OPP patrolled waters were not wearing a lifejacket.
OPP Marine officers wish to thank Broker Link Insurance, and also to thank everyone who attended today's Kick Off!
Remember- If You Don't Wear It, it can't save your life!
For anyone who is unsure of the equipment required for their vessel please view this link https://csbc.ca/en/ or https://csbc.ca/fr/.
Police remind vessel operators that an essential part our enforcement effort is to save lives and reduce injuries on our waterways while promoting and educating the public about safe boating practices.
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