Boaters: remember to have a lifejacket for each rider

by Stephannie Johnson, The Parry Sound Beacon Star – Friday, June 7th, 2013 – page 3A

No life jacket charges – Police laid charges against a Norfolk County man after his boat was stopped on Whitefish Lake at 12:13 p.m. on June 1.  The 36-year-old was charged with no life jacket under the Canada Shipping Act.

The same charges were laid on June 2 at 9:17 a.m. on Lake Manitouwabing. Police stopped two men aboard a canoe that only had one life jacket inside.  A 32-year-old Oakville man was charged with insufficient life jackets.  The canoe was also missing a heaving line, whistle, flashlight and bucket; the operator received a warning.

Police remind pleasure craft operators to have enough life jackets for all those on board and to meet the minimum safety standards.  For more information on what you require to operate your vessel on Ontario’s waterways, visit Transport Canada’s Marine Safety page at www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/menu.htm.