The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging boaters to be prepared for the upcoming marine season and to be safe on the water.
OPP officials said this year's focus will be on smaller pleasure crafts, specifically to ensure they all have proper safety equipment aboard, even if they are operating near the shore. Small vessels include paddleboards, water-cycles, kayaks, canoes, rowboats, sailboards and kite-boards.
Police said the marine unit will also be looking for boaters to be wearing properly functioning, fitted and approved lifejackets and personal floatation devices (PFD's).
"As always, a zero-tolerance approach will be taken to the improper possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on our waterways and a reminder that impaired driving due to the consumption of alcohol and/or a drug, including cannabis holds the same penalty as it does when operating a motor vehicle," police said.
Police added there is a slight change to the law this year. The number of flares required on a vessel has decreased by 50 per cent if the boat is equipped with two-way communication such as VHF Radio or cellular phone, a personal locator beacon, or an emergency position-indicating beacon.
"With the advent of the 2019 boating season, we know that thousands of recreational boaters are looking forward to launching their vessels on our waterways," police added. "Essex County OPP Marine Unit members are now on the water to ensure the safety and well-being of all boaters with the focus on compliance to boating regulations."
Police encourage boaters to educate themselves on boating regulations before they hit the water or reach out to the OPP for boating educational briefings.
