North American Safe Boating Awareness Week took place across Canada from May 19 to 25. The purpose of this initiative, managed by the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and its partners, is to promote safe and responsible boating practices to the estimated 15 million recreational boaters in Canada.
Although boating related fatalities have trended downwards in past years, there continues to be an average of over 100 boating related deaths annually in Canadian waters. With people gearing-up to launch their boats after a long winter slumber, the goal of the week is to continue to bring those numbers down by ensuring that Canadians who head out in any type of boat have the appropriate knowledge to help them have a safe day on the water.
The timing of the week, starting on the May long weekend, is aligned with the unofficial start of summer and a time when many boating fatalities occur, CSBC officials state.
The council is promoting five key boating safety behaviours all directed towards the most common boating related accidents. They include:
– wear a life jacket;
– boat sober;
– take a boating course;
– be prepared – both you and your vessel; and
– be aware of the risks of cold water immersion
The impending legalization of cannabis along with the rise in prescription narcotic use is causing significant additional concern for boating safety advocate groups, enforcement agencies and first responders alike, the council notes.
Alcohol alone has long been proven to be a contributing factor in 40 per cent of boating fatalities across Canada but the legalization of recreational cannabis has the potential to significantly increase this statistic. The organization is emphasizing not consuming any alcohol or drugs either before or while boating.
For additional information on boating safety visit www.csbc.ca.
