Local Canadian Coast Guard inshore rescue boats have been activated for the summer beginning this long Victoria Day weekend.
Superintendent of Search and Rescue Peter Garapick says radio officers also monitor 24 hours a day for distress and urgency calls.
He says the most important safety rule on the water is to wear personal floatation devices, like lifejackets.
"If you go over the water, it's very cold right now. The air temperature is going to be warm this weekend, but that cold water shock can make you gasp and you can inhale water," he says. "If you don't have a PFD on, you're probably not coming up... That's what unfortunately we see a lot of at this time of year, is people just aren't ready for that dip in the water."
Garapick also advises boaters to make sure proper maintenance has been done on vessels that have been sitting idle over the winter.
The Canadian Coast Guard partners with Transport Canada for Safe Boating Awareness Week, that begins Saturday.
