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Safe Boating Week runs through Friday and it serves as a reminder for boaters to prioritize safety through public awareness about boating safety and an emphasis on the importance of safe and responsible boating practices.
myFM spoke with Briar McCaw, co-founder of the Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition not only about the importance of the week, but also to promote key boating safety messages to focus on throughout the boating season.
And to be aware of the most common boating related incidents, whether you are out on a large body of water or a small area like Lake Margaret in St. Thomas.
The cornerstone of safe boating begins with wearing a personal flotation device because, according to the Canadian Safe Boating Council, over 80 per cent of Canadians who drown while boating were not wearing their lifejacket or not wearing it properly.
McCaw stresses it is no different than bucking up your seatbelt when you get in a vehicle.
She adds, no matter the size of the vessel, have a check list before casting off.
While it seems obvious, boat sober. And yet how many times to we hear of injuries or deaths as a result of impaired operation of a vessel.
That also applies to prescription drugs, cannabis or other intoxicants.
McCaw explains proper protocols should you end up in the water, especially at this time of the year when the water temperature remains frigid.
Being prepared before heading out on the water includes a check of immediate weather conditions and what to expect later in the day.
All summer long, 94.1 myFM broadcasts marine weather forecasts every Friday through Sunday.
And even if your boating is as simple as a quite day on the water fishing, McCaw urges you to ‘get hooked on life jackets.’
This hit home last Labour Day when 26-year-old Ryan Davies drowned in Lake Margaret when a canoe holding three people tipped over.
Two people were rescued, however, after a day-long search, the body of Davies was recovered. None were believed to be wearing life jackets.
In July of 1925, what was known as the Swan Boat sank on Lake Pinafore in St. Thomas, resulting in the drowning deaths of seven children.
For more information on the Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition, visit https://www.ecdrowningprevention.com/
For more tips on boating safety, visit https://csbc.ca/safe-boating-awareness-week/
Written by Ian McCallum
