Water Safety Warnings Go Unheeded

Jet-Skis Collide

The focus on boating safety was lost on two men at the weekend. Southern Georgian Bay OPP say two jet-skis collided on the Trent-Severn Waterway between Wigwam and Liberty Islands. Both operators – a 19 year old Cambridge man and a 27 year old from Toronto – were charged with operating a vessel in a careless manner. No one was hurt. There have been eight boating deaths on OPP-patrolled waterways so far this year, which is almost three times as many as this time last year.

Over the Victoria Day weekend, South Simcoe Police Traffic & Marine officers were joined on Lake Simcoe by York Regional Police and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. This joint forces project involved 2 vessels, each with a MNRF officer on board. On Saturday, 44 vessels were stopped and inspected. 11 charges were laid under various statutes, and 11 cautions issued. 1 vessel required police assistance due to mechanical failure. On Sunday, 32 vessels were checked, with 7 charges laid and 7 cautions issued. 6 vessels required police assistance due to mechanical failure.

photo by: R0Ng via Flickr