NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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BRACEBRIDGE - The Ontario Provincial Police Bracebridge Detachment are issuing a warning to early season boaters.
Although many of our lakes are still mostly ice covered, the recent surge of melt water will likely begin to break up the ice pack and open the waterways to navigation.
The OPP wish to remind boaters that the thaw, combined with recent flooding, has left a massive amount of debris floating in the lakes.
Timbers from broken structures, trees, and other debris will be scattered across the lakes and may be very difficult to see when partially submerged. Striking debris poses a serious hazard and can be catastrophic to a vessel and its passengers.
If you must venture out onto the water, please be on the lookout for such debris and ensure your vessel's safety equipment is functioning properly and in place, if you're boating alone tell someone what your plan is, where you're going and when you expect to return.
Dress appropriately for the weather and remember that life jackets work best when they're worn.
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