Even though the temperature is dropping, plenty of boaters are keen to squeeze in a little more time on the water but it comes with new warnings from police.
Bill Adams drove up from London on Friday to get out on Lake Simcoe but after checking the conditions he decided not to launch his boat.
“It’s fairly windy, my concern is because the waves are too close together, they’d just be banging the side of the boat…leaves everything off balance,” says Adams.
Police say unfavourable conditions are something boaters must prepare for this time of year.
“If you’re out in the rougher water your boat is going to handle different. It affects the overall performance of the boat, it may lead you to a mechanical breakdown or inability to control your vessel,” says York Regional Police Constable Matthew Golld. “This time of year when the wind conditions and water conditions are cold, you might start feeling those affects, which over time my start impairing your judgement.”
Police say boaters also need to be aware of lower water levels, in fact South Simcoe Police say their marine officers have had to rescue stranded boaters on two separate occasions recently.
“This lake is about two feed down, lower than what you’re used to and what we’re having is people striking the bottom and getting stuck on sand shoals,” says South Simcoe Police Constable Jason Vandersar.
Hypothermia is another concern this time of year. Police say even with the water temperatures still in the high teens it can set in quickly.
“Hypothermia can set in any time of year but this time of year the onset of it and the way your body would react to it is expedited because the temperature of the water is much colder,” adds Constable Golld.
Police are stressing that boaters have floatation suits and life jackets with them, along with a fully charged cell phone so they can call if they get stranded.
