Summer is here and Wellington County OPP wants residents and visitors to have a safe and enjoyable time on our beautiful lakes and rivers. This season Wellington County Marine Officers have spent time patrolling Belwood Lake, Conestoga Lake and Puslinch Lake and have concerns regarding the lack of safety equipment used by the public.
“The most common violation seen is the lack of personal flotation device (PFD) usage,” said OPP Marine Officer Provincial Constable Sarah Van Norman. “We want to remind the public that you should never go on the water without a properly fitted PFD in good condition.”
Failure to do so carries a $200 fine for the first inadequate or missing PFD, and a $100 fine for each additional PFD, she said.
Constable Van Norman added, “Many boaters believe if they fell overboard or became involved in a water emergency while not wearing a PFD, that they would easily be able to rescue themselves or others in their vessel. In reality, water temperature, wave conditions, the gasp reflex and other factors make it very difficult for even the strongest swimmers.”
Emergency situations in small vessels can happen unexpectedly and very quickly. After prolonged exposure to the sun, wind and motion of the water your vision, balance, alertness and reaction times may be affected, making it that much harder to rescue yourself, your friends and your family. The easiest way to increase your survival odds is to wear your PFD while on or even near the water, especially young children.
Across the province on OPP patrolled waterways there have already been 12 fatalities this season. In 10 of these cases a PFD was not being used.
Personal Flotation Device violations are taken very seriously. County OPP Marine Officers have a zero tolerance policy for those they find in contravention of the law with respect to this very simple piece of life-saving equipment.
