The heat is sending a lot of people out onto the water this week and police are keeping a close eye on boaters.

Michael List loves spending the day on the water and towing skiers, but he doesn't mind when the fun has to stop for a police inspection.

"Just fine, I’m glad they're here because it's for the safety of the people on the lake as far as I’m concerned," says List.

He has no problem with the spot checks and safety regulations because in his boat, there's one simple rule and that’s to always wear a life jacket.

However, all too often police marine units are stopping boaters who are not wearing life jackets, can't get to them quickly or think they're too hot to wear in this weather.

"People stow them away and don't want them cluttering their boat, so they'll have them under seats, under cushions, in compartments, but in an event of an emergency that split second it takes them to get that life jacket or few seconds, it could mean the difference between life or death," says York Regional Police Const. Matthew Goold.

Police say there's really no excuse to not wear a life jacket, especially with the different sizes and styles, inflate when someone hits the water.

With the long weekend just days away the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) has teamed with local police to launch, Operation Dry Water, which reminds boaters to wear life jackets and that booze and boating don't mix.

"It’s kind of party mode for a lot of people, but again, out on the water there's a lot of responsibilities when you're boating,” says Stephanie Rankine of the CSBC. “We want to make sure you're still having fun, but keeping alcohol out of the equation for the weekend."

About 120 people die in boating accidents in Canada every year, 80 per cent of people of which were not wearing life jackets and 40 per cent of the accidents involve alcohol.

As part of Operation Dry Water, South Simcoe Police and York Regional Police are putting extra officers on the water this long weekend

When police are conducting spot checks on the water this weekend they will also be doing breathalyzer tests with those they think may have been drinking.