Ontario Provincial Police are concerned about the amount of boaters drinking while on the water. The OPP says alcohol has been a factor in 42 percent of the 18 boating fatalities they’ve investigated so far this season.With the Civic Holiday Long Weekend approaching, the OPP is partnering with the Canadian Safe Boating Council and enforcement agencies across Canada for Operation Dry Water, a national campaign aimed at decreasing incidents of injury and death related to operating a boat while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Boaters in Ontario are allowed to have open alcohol only on boats with permanent sleeping, cooking and washroom facilities built into the boat’s design and only when those boats are docked or at anchor. Whether operating a motorized boat, canoe or any other type of marine vessel, doing so while impaired by alcohol or drugs is investigated similarly to driving a land vehicle and has the same consequences.