With nice weather and sunshine in the forecast, many Ontarians are hitting the water to enjoy the boating season.
But the OPP and other local police services are sending a strict message regarding safety on the water.
Constable David Hackney, in charge of marine patrols with the South Bruce OPP, says safety measures differ from vessel to vessel, but there's one safety item that is a must have no matter what vessel you're enjoying.
"The number one thing is life jackets or PFDs (personal floatation devices). Obviously they are the most critical piece of safety gear on any type of boat and every type requires them to be onboard. We really strongly encourage people to wear them, and much like seatbelts, they don't help much if you don't have it buckled up and on you," said Hackney.
According to police data, over 90 percent of drownings in Canada occur with the victim not wearing a life jacket or PFD.
Constable Hackney also stresses that police are trying to ensure people understand that even small vessels like paddle boards and kayaks are considered boats under the law, and they require certain safety measures.
"So we're really really trying to get the word out there that people that are using those types of boats need to look up the regulations and understand what they need on there, as well. Of primary concern is the safety but also just to meet the legal requirements depending on what vessel you're operating," Hackney noted.
Based on the law, safety measures differ from vessel to vessel, but Constable Hackney stresses that there's zero tolerance for consuming alcohol or drugs.
"Impairment by alcohol or drugs on the water carries the same penalties as it would if you were driving your car. We have the tools to determine if a vessel operator is impaired and we are certainly out looking for that and we will take the appropriate enforcement action if that's what we find out on the water," stated Hackney.
Even smaller boating vessels without engines are still considered boats under the law, something Constable Hackney says many people still don't realize.
"There seems to be that big perception that those types of boats, maybe because they aren't tied up at a marina or don't have an engine on them, that they're not really boats that fit the definition, and that simply isn't the case. So we're working really hard to educate folks that all vessels require the equipment, and they fall under that category," Hackney pointed out.
All relevant safety measures and requirements for all types of boating vessels can be found at boatingsafety.gc.ca.