(TRENT RIVER CANAL, ON) – On Sunday June 22, 2014 Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Marine Unit was conducting enforcement on the Trent River Canal when they located a vessel that was not properly equipped to be on the water.
OPP Marine officers conducted a vessel check at approximately 3:10 on Sunday with two fishermen aboard and found that there were no life jackets (PFD), buoyant heaving line or a bailer. The officer issued a Provincial Offence Notice to the operator, Larry EGGLETON from Stoney Creek, Ontario for no personal floatation device under the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act 2001. The accused was warned regarding the other two missing items.
From OPP Website / Marine Safety: On waterways policed by the OPP, 81 percent of the deaths were recreational boaters not wearing a lifejacket or PFD. Most of these drownings occur in small open powerboats and non-motorized canoe type vessels. A majority of these victims were males over the age of 36. An average of 140 unnecessary drowning does occur every year in Canada.
Many boaters who drown believe they are good swimmers, so they feel that having a PFD on board and within easy reach is good enough. But what good is a PFD that is stored under a seat or under the bow going to be when the unexpected happens? Most drowning’s happen unexpectedly when small boats capsize or someone falls overboard. The PFD that you leave behind is not much use, especially in cold water.
When choosing a lifejacket follow these simple guidelines: Choose one that is suitable for the activity you are involved in and check the label to make sure that it is Canadian approved and is of the correct size. Finally, make sure it fits snugly.
For more information on Marine Safety please go on line to www.opp.ca or http://www.waterwaysontario.com/safe-boating/safety-equipment/