North American Safe Boating Awareness Week

Toronto Police Service News Release

Media advisory, Thursday, May 15, 2014, 10 a.m., Marine Unit, 259 Queen's Quay West, North American Safe Boating Awareness Week

Thursday, May 15, 2014 - 5:00 AM
Marine:  416-808-5800

On Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 10 a.m., the City of Toronto will officially proclaim May 17- 23, 2014, as North American Safe Boating Awareness Week.

Following the proclamation, the Toronto Police Service Marine Unit and the Canadian Safe Boating Council will host a media day with numerous exciting events until 2 p.m., at the TPS Marine Unit, at 259 Queen's Quay West.

Leading up to the long weekend, the TPS Marine Unit, Canadian Safe Boating Council, MADD Canada, Dusty Miller Power Boat School, Stearns Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak and Harbourfront Centre Sailing and Powerboating will stage five unique interactive stations for media to experience the essentials of boating safety, such as:

- selecting and fitting children's lifejackets: Stearns, Division of Coleman Canada and The Red Cross

- the dangers of impaired boating: MADD Canada

- boating courses for skills development: Dusty Miller Power Boat School

- interactive demos with kayak, paddle board, sailboat, small power boat (safety equipment): Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak and Harbourfront Centre Sailing and Powerboating

- dangers of cold-water immersion: Canadian Safe Boating Council

Rescue vessels and personnel from Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary detachments in Oakville and Pickering will also be on hand for touring and to discuss their experiences responding to calls from recreational boaters requiring assistance.

The Victoria Day long weekend is considered by many as the unofficial start of summer. The goal of this event, and Safe Boating Awareness Week, is to decrease the number of boating fatalities by educating the public as they begin their boating season with the knowledge and key boating safety tips to help ensure that every trip is a round trip.

For further information please contact:

Ian M. Gilson
Canadian Safe Boating Council
905-719-5152
igilson@shaw.ca
www.csbc.ca

or

Constable Richard Baker
richard.baker@torontopolice.on.ca
Toronto Police Service Marine Unit
416-808-5821


For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.



Constable David Hopkinson, Corporate Communications, for Constable Patrick McLeod, Marine Unit