(MIDLAND, On)- Marine unit members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are gearing up for another weekend of patrol here in north Simcoe as we head into another predicted to be warm late August weekend.
During the week of August 18-21, 2025, officers conducted 17 hours of patrol on area waterways checking 12 vessels and operators for required safety equipment and signs of impairment. As a result of these checks, three operators were educated for Canada Shipping Act violations.
As we edge closer to the next long weekend, we and our water safety partners remind boaters as we do every week, that officers will be doing their best to keep our waterways safe by checking for lifejacket compliance and removing impaired drivers from our waterways, who also fall under the realm of the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines.
Wearing your lifejacket while on the water will increase your chances of survival if you should go overboard into the water. Be prepared by having the appropriate number of approved lifejackets and or floater suits on board for all vessel occupants. 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
Remember, if you see a possible impaired operator “Make the Call” and dial 911 and help prevent a marine tragedy and always have an eye to the sky for changing weather conditions.
