(MIDLAND, On)- With the warm temperatures of summer fully entrenched here in North Simcoe, members of the marine unit attached to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police want to remind all persons heading out on the water this weekend to make that extra check of their vessel safety equipment and always have an eye to the sky for changing weather conditions. (See attached submitted OPP photograph)
This week during July 21-24, 2025, officers conducted 32 hours of patrol through the areas of Tiny Township shoreline, around the area islands and up to Lock 44 of the Trent Severn waterway system, officers checked 12 vessels for equipment and operators for signs of impairment. One operator was cited and two others were educated for contraventions of the Canada Shipping Act. https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/office-boating-safety?utm_campaign=tc-boating-safety-ongoing&utm_medium=vurl&utm_source=tc-gc-ca-boatingsafety
Wearing your lifejacket while on the water especially now even though the warm days of summer are upon us, will increase your chances of survival if you should go overboard into cool water. Be prepared for these still cool summertime water temperatures especially out in the greater areas of Georgian Bay by having the appropriate number of approved lifejackets and or floater suits on board for all vessel occupants.
As of 12:00 noon July 25, 2025, the surface water temperature according to the Government of Canada Weather Buoy at Buoy position: 44.95N 80.63W on Georgian Bay was 20 degrees Celsius.
The following YouTube video from the Canadian Safe Boating Council https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeP0DHImJdc will demonstrate why having the proper safety equipment could save your life especially in cooler water temperatures.
Remember, if you see a possible impaired operator “Make the Call” and dial 911 and help prevent a marine tragedy.
