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Ontario Provincial Police are reminding boaters to take safety seriously after charging a man on Crow Lake for not having proper floatation gear on board.
OPP say a 46-year-old man from Whitby was fined $240 for operating a human-powered craft without a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket of appropriate size for each person on board. The charge falls under the Canada Shipping Act, which applies to all vessels including canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and pedal boats, whether owned, borrowed, or rented.
Police say life jackets are not optional. Even on warm days, water temperatures in deeper areas and larger bodies like Georgian Bay can remain cold, increasing the risk of cold-water shock and drowning if someone falls overboard.
Across eastern Ontario, OPP have reported more than 10 boating-related fatalities so far this summer. In many of those incidents, the victims were not wearing life jackets.
During recent marine patrols, police also checked vessels for impairment and other safety requirements. Officers say they’re stepping up enforcement as water traffic increases with the summer heat.
Police encourage boaters to plan ahead, monitor weather conditions, and always carry the required safety equipment. They also ask the public to report any signs of impaired boating by calling 911.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
