Marine, Dive and Trails continues public education and enforcement on the water

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 26, 2020   12:20pm 

Ottawa—This past weekend the Marine, Dive and Trails (MDT) Unit was on the Rideau River and the Ottawa River and stopped 105 boats, issued 23 Provincial Offence Notices (PON) and 34 Warnings, and one criminal charge of Impaired (Vessel).                                               

“We ask boaters to respect established passenger limits, even more so in the pandemic reality,” said Staff Sergeant Marc-Andre Sheehy, responsible for the Marine, Dive and Trails Unit  “We issued one PON related to boats with more than 5 persons on board, which contravenes with the current public health COVID-19 safety rules.” 

“Not all boaters we came across had the necessary onboard equipment, and many did not carry enough life jackets for everyone on board,” added Sergeant Walter Lushman, with MDT.  “No one should underestimate the importance of this life-saving device.” 

The Ottawa Police also wishes to remind the public that boating and drinking do not go well together. 

“The same legal limits apply whether you are on our City streets, in an aircraft, on an ATV in the woods or on the water in your vessel with friends and family, added Staff Sgt. Sheehy. “It’s about everyone’s safety.”  

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 19, 2020   2:10pm 

Safe Boating long weekend enforcement results in 57 tickets

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Marine, Dive and Trails (MDT) Unit was on our waterways during the May long weekend, marking the beginning of the boating season. While most marinas and boat launches were not yet open for the season, many boaters took to the waterways with their pleasure crafts. 

Over 121 boats/vessels were stopped by MDT and 57 tickets were issued under the Canada Shipping Act, including:

• No life jacket
• No paddle or anchor
• No vessel license
• No Pleasure Craft Operator card (PCOC)
• Failure to transfer vessel license
• Speeding
• No fire extinguisher
• Failure to control wake 

“The boating season has just begun, and it is a good time to remind everyone that water safety rules should always be top of mind and at play,” said Staff Sergeant Marc-Andre Sheehy, responsible for the Marine, Dive and Trails Unit, with the Ottawa Police. “Critical safety equipment, like life jackets, were absent from some pleasure crafts we encountered this long weekend. Tickets are expensive and even more costly are boating incidents that can harm you or your loved ones. Don’t trust your luck when it comes to boating, please wear your life jacket.” 

“People need to have their documents in order before leaving the shore,” added Sergeant Walter Lushman, with MDT. “Most documents can be obtained on the Transport Canada website. Speeding close to shores and jumping waves close to other vessels can be dangerous and will not be tolerated. Be a responsible boater on our great waterways.” 

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 15, 2020   3:03pm 

Marine, Dive and Trails will be monitoring the waterways this long weekend

(Ottawa)—With Safe Boating Awareness Week upon us, the Ottawa Police Marine, Dive and Trails (MDT) Unit wishes to provide its top 5 boating safety tips to ensure everyone is operating their vessel in a safe manner. 

The MDT team will be on our waterways during the long May weekend and remind boaters to:  

1. Wear your Lifejacket - Over 80% of Canadians who drown while boating were not wearing their lifejacket or not wearing it properly. There are so many choices for lifejackets / personal flotation devices on the market now, it is easy to pick one that suits your ‘boating style’ that you are comfortable wearing all the time, when you are on the water.  
2. Boat Sober – Be mindful that the use of prescription drugs, alcohol, illicit drugs or cannabis – all intoxicants – can be both dangerous and illegal. In some provinces, including Ontario, being convicted of Impaired operation of a water vessel will also affect your automobile license.
3. Be Prepared, You and Your Boat - Make sure you and your boat are up to your planned on-water activities. That means you are knowledgeable about your upcoming trip, your boat is properly equipped with the required and good to have safety equipment, the weather is suitable for the voyage, you have sufficient fuel and you have filed a trip plan. Consider that by boating and not jeopardizing your safety and that or other boaters, you will not be putting pressure on rescue/medical resources during the pandemic.
4. Take a Boating Course – If you are operating a powered recreational vessel, you should have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card or some other proof of competency. But that is just as a start, so consider taking some advanced courses. If your boating preference tends towards paddle, consider some on water training, when available. 
5. Be Aware of Cold-Water Risks - Cold water can severely impact your ability to swim or even just stay afloat. Even the best swimmers will feel the effects of a sudden cold-water immersion. No matter your swimming ability, your best chance of surviving an accidental cold-water immersion is to wear your lifejacket! 

For more information on Safe Boating Awareness Week, May 16-22, 2020, please visit https://csbc.ca/en/safe-boating-awareness-week 

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366