The official start of summer is still on the horizon, but the boating season is already off to a deadly start on local waters.
With that in mind, Orillia’s OPP detachment is spreading a message of safety as it prepares for a busy season on area waterways.
Orillia detachment commander Coyer Yateman says there are three marine vessels equipped with lifesaving gear in their fleet this summer.
“We are on the waterways from Big Chute all the way south to Lake Simcoe and everywhere in between,” he said. “We are providing education and enforcement.”
Tow of the local vessels are stationed out of Lauderdale Point Marina and Bridge Port Marina, while another remains ready on a trailer in the parking lot of the Orillia detachment on University Avenue for when it’s called upon.
While on the waterways, Yateman says OPP marine officers are looking to make sure all vessels are following rules, are equipped with life jackets, and to make sure nobody is driving recklessly.
“The waterways are different than the roadways,” Yateman said. “The weather conditions can change very quickly, very rapidly, and it's important boaters follow all rules and work with the other boaters.”
Over the last couple of years, Yateman says there has been an increase in fatalities on the waterways.
“We are out there to try to prevent and reduce those through visibility and enforcement,” he said. “There have already, unfortunately, been serious collisions and incidents on our waterways (this year).”
Last weekend, one person was seriously injured when a personal watercraft collided with a docked boat in Oro-Medonte. Impaired charges were laid in that incident.
Earlier this spring, a man went fishing on Bass Lake and drowned.
Staff Sgt. Brent Elbers, the Orillia detachment operations manager, says it’s important to note that in most boating incidents that result in fatalities, niether proper safety equipment nor life jackets were not being worn.
“As the operator of a boat you want to make sure you have all safety equipment not only at the ready, but being worn,” he said.
Elbers says things can go south in a split second on the waterways.
“It’s important for all parties to be alert at all times and aware of their surroundings.”
Elbers also reminds boaters that impaired boating penalties are the same as impaired driving penalties. Impaired boaters will receive a licence suspension and a future court date.
The OPP asks everyone on the waters this summer to report any incidents or any reckless behaviour. You can do so online by clicking here.
