(PEMBROKE, ON) – On the evening of August 21, 2016 high winds in the area resulted in the Upper Ottawa Valley Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) receiving three separate calls regarding boaters in distress at various locations on the Ottawa River.
At 6:46pm a call was received from a man and woman in a 14ft aluminum boat in the Rolphton area. The boat became disabled after the anchor rope became caught on the motor. Due to high waves, estimated to be in the 4 to 5 foot range, the boat began to take on water. Before police could arrive the rope was freed and the boaters made it safely to shore.
At 7:13pm a call was received that a 14ft aluminum boat had overturned in high waves in the area of Balmer Bay. The boat’s two adult male occupants, who were wearing their lifejackets, were reported to be clinging to the overturned boat. An OPP officer boarded a civilian pleasure craft in Deep River and located the overturned boat. Both men were rescued and brought to the Deep River marina where they were assessed by paramedics.
At 8:39pm in the Laurentian Hills area an 18ft bow rider with two adult males on board was blown into rocks near the Quebec shoreline. Upon seeing the OPP’s Marine Unit in the area the men called for help. The Marine Unit was able to assist in getting the boat off the rocks and eventually led the men back to safety at the Deep River Marina arriving in darkness just before 10pm.
Weather conditions can change rapidly and the OPP would like to remind boaters to always check the weather forecast prior to venturing out onto the waterways.