On Friday July 24th and Saturday July 25th, our Marine Unit Officers patrolled the areas of Vermillion Lake / River, Windy Lake, and Fairbanks Lake.

A total of 49 vessels were stopped for compliance checks. In total, Officers made contact with 135 community members.

Officers were pleased to find that no alcohol or drugs were found on board any of the vessels.

The enforcement results were as follows:

  • 3 charges for not having an appropriate personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket for each person on board
  • 6 warnings for lifejacket not readily accessible
  • 4 warnings for not having a sound signaling device
  • 3 warnings for other safety equipment requirements
  • 2 warnings for no/inoperable flashlight
  • 1 warning for improper towing (watersport)

Additionally, 11 t-shirts were given to youths “caught” wearing their lifejackets and four GSPS whistles were provided in lieu of charges.

One of the lifejacket charges was given to an individual on an inflatable toy approximately 400 metres from shore, attempting to kick his way back against a strong wind.

With National Boating Safety Week starting during the August Civic Holiday, GSPS would like to remind all water activity enthusiasts that it is your responsibility to have the right equipment on board. If something goes wrong on the water, having the required safety equipment on board, readily accessible and in good working order will really help you.

Remember that the best protection you can give yourself on the water is to always wear your lifejacket or PFD.

All safety equipment on board must be:

  • in good working order;
  • always easy to reach (so that it can be used in an emergency); and
  • maintained and replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or recommendations.

These requirements do not apply to inflatable self-propelled water toys as these toys are not designed for use in open water. If you do choose to operate these toys in open water, enforcement officers will treat them as pleasure craft that are subject to the same rules as per Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide.

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