PARRY SOUND – Despite the shorter days and cooler nights that are encroaching on what is left of summer, the members of Marine Unit attached to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment believe this year’s swimming and boating season is still far from over.
OPP Marine Unit members would like to remind the public of the very real dangers associated with water-based recreation, and to encourage people to take personal responsibility for ensuring water safety for themselves and their children.
Most marine drownings happen unexpectedly when small boats capsize or someone falls overboard. The PFD left behind is not much use, especially in cold water.
Between January 1, and July 22, nine people were killed in marine vessel incidents, compared to 13 people over the same time period last year. Out of those nine, five were not wearing a PFD. Five of those deaths were also alcohol-related. All nine of those drowning victims believed that it wouldn’t happen to them.
The marine members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP would like to encourage people to learn to swim, to wear a PFD, to closely supervise young children.