There have been three deaths on area waterways this year, and the boating season hasn’t even hit its peak.
After that “rocky start” to the season, as Const. Andrew MacDonald put it, police are pushing a message of safety.
“One (death) is always too many, but this year it’s more than usual,” said MacDonald, whose job with the Orillia OPP includes patrolling the lakes in Orillia, Ramara and Severn. “It’s because of some unfortunate factors.”
Two of the three people who died were not wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs).
“If you’re on a paddleboard, kayak or canoe, wear a PFD,” MacDonald advised. “It can be, and is, a life saver.”
A 25-year-old North York woman died on the May long weekend after the canoe she was in capsized on Lake Couchiching. She was not wearing a PFD.
A few days later, a 59-year-old Oshawa woman drowned in the Green River in Washago after she tried to launch her kayak into the water. The kayak overturned and the woman was not able to right it.
Every vessel — motorized or not — must have a life jacket or PFD for each occupant. Police urge people, even those on canoes and kayaks, to wear them at all times, especially considering all three of the tragedies on local lakes this year have involved those types of vessels.
Police also advise people to familiarize themselves with whatever type of watercraft they’re using.
“If it’s beyond your capability, don’t go out,” Orillia OPP Const. Martin Hill said. “It’s truly a matter of life and death.”
“Don’t be overconfident,” MacDonald added. “We need to respect the water.”
Anyone who is lending a vessel to someone else should also make sure the operator knows what he or she is doing, he said.
Marine officers patrol the water from May to September, and it’s about to become busy. The Canada Day weekend is when boating traffic really picks up, and it doesn’t slow down from there.
MacDonald and Hill were out on Lake Couchiching Thursday morning, keeping an eye out for the usual offences: no PFDs, no proof of competency, and open alcohol. Rick Davis was following all of the rules when the police boat pulled up beside him not far from Big Chief Island.
“There’s not enough of these guys, unfortunately,” Davis said of marine officers, “but that’s the way it goes.”
Davis lives nearby and has seen his share of irresponsible behaviour on the water.
“Most of the activity we see is PWCs (personal watercraft), either with no PFDs, pulling water skiers without the proper vessels or too close to the shore,” he said.
Police will be on the lookout for unsafe behaviour like that, and their focus will no doubt turn to Big Chief Island. In the summer, they tend to make an appearance there every weekend. Common problems at the popular gathering spot for boaters include alcohol and noise complaints, as well as trespassing. Boaters can pull up to the shallows and wade in the water, but the island itself is off limits.
“Mnjikaning’s past chiefs are buried there and some people use it as a toilet. They need to show some respect,” MacDonald said, noting the island is the property of Rama First Nation (formerly known as Mnjikaning).
Tips for safe boating, as well as information about what is required of operators and passengers, can be found here.
