Canadian Safe Boating Council and Toronto Police Service team up to reduce impaired boating deaths August long weekend

Toronto Police Service News Release

Canadian Safe Boating Council and Toronto Police Service team up to reduce impaired boating deaths August long weekend, Second "Operation Dry Water" initiative

Friday, August 1, 2014 - 6:00 AM
Marine:  416-808-5800

Drinking and boating accounts for approximately 40% of boating-related fatalities on Canadian waterways. To raise awareness and reduce alcohol related deaths, the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the Toronto Police Service are launching the second "Operation Dry Water" initiative to discourage this dangerous practice.

With the summer boating season in high gear, the August 2 long weekend is the perfect time to remind boaters of the risks of drinking and boating. Combined with sun, wind, waves and the rocking motion of the boat, the effects of alcohol on the water can be greatly increased.

The CSBC and the Toronto Police Service would like to raise awareness of the problem of boating under the influence and to remind boaters not to drink and boat.

Operation Dry Water will focus on the potential risks of drinking and boating, and remedies that are currently in place to discourage it.

Federal statutes dictate that, whether or not your craft is motorized, you can be charged with Impaired Operation of a vessel under the Criminal Code of Canada if your blood alcohol level exceeds the .08 mg threshold. This means you can be charged even if you are impaired while operating a canoe. A judge is able to, upon conviction, suspend your boating privileges. Some provinces have enacted legislation where drinking and boating can affect your automobile driving privileges.

Operation Dry Water is aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities on the water while fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use while boating. The goal is to achieve safer and more enjoyable recreational boating.

This initiative is made possible through the support of Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety.

For additional information on boating safety, please click here.

For further information, please contact:

Susanne Simic
Public Relations, Canadian Safe Boating Council
416-622-3358
susanne.simic@sympatico.ca

or

Richard Baker #3033
Toronto Police Service Marine Unit
259 Queen's Quay West
Toronto, Ontario
416-808-5800
richard.baker@torontopolice.on.ca

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Victor Kwong, Corporate Communications, for Constable Richard Baker, Marine