(Photo courtesy OPP Marine Unit)
Drinking and boating accounts for approximately 40% of boating-related fatalities on Canadian waterways.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are once again joining the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) to launch “Operation Dry Water”, an education and enforcement initiative aimed at discouraging boaters from boating under the influence of alcohol and reduce alcohol-related boating deaths.
The impairment effects of alcohol on the water can be greatly increased when combined with sun, wind, waves and the rocking motion of the boat.
With the summer boating season in high gear, the August long weekend is an opportune time to launch this boating safety initiative and remind Canadian boaters not to drink and boat.
Regardless of where you boat in Canada, operating a vessel with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in excess of .08 is Impaired Operation of a Vessel under the Criminal Code of Canada.
In Ontario, boat operators will also have their Driver’s Licence suspended immediately.
Upon conviction, boating privileges may be suspended and a Criminal Impaired Driving conviction will be registered. Then there’s the risk to your own safety and others. It is just not worth it!
The OPP and the CSBC want everyone to get out and enjoy the waterways this hot, dry summer but ask you to “keep it dry and save it for shore”. Operation Dry Water runs from July 28 to August 1, 2016.
During that time, the OPP and CSBC will collaborate on raising awareness of the risks of impaired boating through joint enforcement and education, in an effort to save lives and make recreational boating safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
For more information, visit the CSBC website at www.csbc.ca under CSBC Safety Campaigns.
This initiative is made possible through the support of Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety.
