2020-May-21
Safe Boating Awareness Week - Take Extra Care
Safe Boating Awareness Week is from May 16 – 22 and this year Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) wants you to take extra precautions. Joe Gatfield, Chair of the CSBC stated ‘With recreational boating having such a slow start due to Covid-19 this year, if you need help, it might not be as readily available from rescue services or other boaters as it was in previous years. So, this year, it is even more critical to be prepared and not put additional pressure on emergency resources”.
CSBC has 5 Key Messages to help you stay safe on the water:
- Wear Your Lifejacket – Over 80% of Canadians who drown while boating were not wearing their lifejacket or not wearing it properly.
- Boat Sober – Whether it’s prescription drugs, alcohol or cannabis, the use of intoxicants is both irresponsible and illegal.
- Be Prepared – Make sure you and your boat are up to your planned on-water activities.
- Take a Boating Course – Operating a powered vessel, you should have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card, so consider taking some advanced courses. If your boating preference tends towards paddle, enroll in some training.
- Be Aware of Cold Water Risks – Cold water can severely impact your ability to swim or even just stay afloat. Your best chance of surviving an accidental cold water immersion is to wear your lifejacket!
Find more information and boating tips here.
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