(LAMBTON COUNTY, ON) Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is gearing up for a busy long weekend on the area’s waterways. OPP vessels will be patrolling the water to watch for people who show disregard for public safety while boating.
Operators need to carry the required documents and safety equipment related to the vessel they are operating. They must also obey the rules of the water and operate their vessels while sober.
Volunteers from the Sarnia-Lambton chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have teamed up with the Lambton County OPP Marine Unit to promote safe and sober boating.
Anyone found operating a vessel with a blood alcohol level above .05, will face an on-the-spot drivers’ license suspension. If your blood alcohol concentration exceeds .08, upon conviction an additional suspension of up to one year can be applied.
Navigating a boat takes coordination and your full concentration. Your decision making skills and ability to react suddenly to changes in condition and surroundings is compromised by alcohol. Your reaction time slows, your vision and judgement are affected and you are more willing to be reckless and take risks. All of this can result in a preventable accident or collision in which you, someone you care for or an innocent bystander ends up in hospital or worse.
The onus is on you to make safety on your vessel a priority this weekend.
For more information on safe and responsible boating practices visit Canada’s educational boating website www.smartboater.ca
