Lifejackets still seem to be a piece of forgotten marine equipment for boaters, and six of them were charged by Southern Georgian Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Over the period of June 23 to July 1, marine officers conducted checks of 77 vessels over the course of 74 hours worth of patrols.
A total of six charges were laid against operators for failing to have enough lifejackets onboard for all occupants of the boat.
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Officers also gave warnings to 28 operators for various minor offences under the Canada Shipping Act.
The OPP also responded to 13 service calls from the public, which included:
- Speeding complaints of vessels passing through the channel area of Picnic Island, Georgian Bay Township, personal watercraft at high speed near the beach along the Tiny Township shoreline and vessels creating large wakes in Penetang Bay.
- Two 25 year old males from Toronto were assisted after getting into a distress situation well off shore in Tay Township on a paddleboard and kayak without lifejackets.
- Four children wearing lifejackets were assisted many kilometers off the Tiny Township shoreline after getting into a distress situation on their paddleboards
