Police Conducting Major Boating Blitz This Weekend in Halton

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Published August 3, 2018 at 5:24 pm

If you’re taking to the waters via boat this Civic holiday long weekend, you’ll want to be aware of a police blitz.

If you’re taking to the waters via boat this Civic holiday long weekend, you’ll want to be aware of a police blitz.

Halton police recently announced that they are teaming up with the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) to “reduce impaired boating deaths.”

From August 3-6, 2018, police will be on the lookout for impaired boaters as part of Operation Dry Water for its sixth year running. The blitz aims to encourage boaters to boat sober.

According to police, drinking and boating accounts for approximately 40 per cent of boating-related fatalities on Canadian waterways.

But police are also concerned about the impact of drugs.

“In 2018, the Canadian Safe Boating Council along with the Halton Regional Police Service are also concerned about the potential impact of legalization of recreational marijuana and the increase in use and abuse of prescription narcotics on boating incidents and fatalities,” reads a recent release from Halton police.

According to police, combined with sun, wind, waves and the rocking motion of the boat, the effects of alcohol and drugs on the water can be greatly increased.

“The CSBC, its partners and sponsors would like, through this and our other initiatives, to raise attention to the problem of boating under the influence and to remind boaters to boat sober,” stated John Gullick, Chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council, in the release. 

“Operation Dry Water will focus on the potential risks of impaired boating, and remedies that are currently in place to discourage it.”

If you’re caught impaired boating, you can be charged with Impaired Operation of a Vessel under the Criminal Code of Canada

“Under current and proposed legislation, human-powered craft are not excluded from the definition of a vessel and, so, are subject to the same penalties,” reads the release.

Your driving privileges could also be affected.

“Operation Dry Water is aimed at reducing the number of impairment-related accidents and fatalities on the water while fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use while boating,” reads the release.

Stay safe on the water this weekend, Halton.

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