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Use extra caution in smaller waterways, OPP urges

Impaired boating is impaired driving, police remind
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NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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PENETANGUISHENE – Members of the OPP Marine Unit attached to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind vessel operators to operate their vessels with extra caution in smaller waterways. Penetang Bay as an example has seven marina's plus a public dock and marine ramp as do some of the local marina's which generate a lot of marine traffic of all types of recreation vessels. Other areas such as Georgian Bay Township also have numerous marina's that cater to the cottage community and large cruisers who all have to navigate the narrow channels of the Honey Harbour area to get to their destination.

Officers remind all vessel operators of the following:

  • to obey all posted speed limit signs and check your chart for these posted speed zones  
  • you are civilly responsible for your vessels wake regardless of your vessel speed  
  • keep watch all the time, day or night of the waterway in front of your vessel to avoid colliding with other vessels, objects or persons swimming or on small human powered watercraft. 
  • be sure to give the right of way to other vessels when required for safe navigation in channels and smaller waterways (if in doubt please view "Rules of the Road" page 44 of the Safe Boating Guide  https://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/marinesafety/TP-511e.pdfhttps://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/marinesafety/TP-511e.pdf ).  
  • view the following link  https://csbc.ca/en/operation-dry-water that includes videos providing information about the consumption of alcohol and cannabis while on a vessel.  
  • please challenge your marine knowledge in the following educational site from the Canadian Safe Boating Council https://safetyfirstmarine.ca/  
  • view the following link that includes videos https://csbc.ca/en/operation-dry-water providing information about the consumption of alcohol and cannabis while on a vessel. 
  • Impaired Boating is Impaired Driving

Police remind operators that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our waterways. Educating the public about safe vessel operating practices is a priority.

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