Boaters across our region will very likely be encountering some unexpected visitors on the water this long weekend.
The OPP, Barrie Police, South Simcoe Police, and York Regional Police are doubling down on their inspections for alcohol infractions.
On Saturday morning, the OPP reported that 6 of the 11 boating deaths on OPP-patrolled waters this year were linked to alcohol or drugs.
The trend is also underscored by the Canadian Safe Boating Council, which says that in the bigger picture, drinking is linked to 40 per cent of boating deaths on Canadian waterways.
Boaters are reminded that drinking and boating isn’t only a poor decision for safety reasons – it can also have other serious consequences.
Anyone operating a boat with a blood alcohol level that exceeds the legal limit can lose their driver’s license.
Simply having open alcohol on many boats can also result in hefty fines.
In most provinces, alcohol can only be consumed on boats that are anchored or secured to a dock, and which have permanent sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities.
The various penalties for alcohol infractions also apply to people operating boats that are not motorized, such as canoes.
