(MIDLAND, On)- With the Canada Day weekend now passed, marine officers from the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) after checking numerous vessels before and during the holiday still comment that lifejackets are still the forgotten piece of marine equipment.
Officers on Detachment waterways over the June 23 – July 1, 2025, period conducted 77 vessel checks during their 74 hours of patrol that resulted in six charges for operators failing to have sufficient lifejackets for all vessel occupants.
28 vessel operators were warned for various minor offences under the Canada Shipping Act discovered during the officer’s checks.
Officers responded to 13 calls for service from the public made to the OPP Communications Center , the following are some of those calls.
- Speeding complaints of vessels passing through the channel area of Picnic Island, Georgian Bay Township, personal watercraft at high speed near the beach along the Tiny Township shoreline and vessels creating large wakes in Penetang Bay.
- Two 25 year old males from Toronto were assisted after getting into a distress situation well off shore in Tay Township on a paddleboard and kayak without lifejackets.
- Four children wearing lifejackets were assisted many kilometers off the Tiny Township shoreline after getting into a distress situation on their paddleboards
Important Information for Vessel Operators
For interactive boating information with equipment requirements at your fingertips we suggest viewing the following marine safety information site – Better Boater – Become a Better Boater Today
If you see a possible impaired operator “Make the Call” and dial 911 and help prevent a marine tragedy. (See submitted graphics) This summer let’s always remember to put that life jacket on before heading out for an enjoyable day on the bay.
