OPP continue to remind boaters about importance of lifejackets

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Julius Hern, August 17, 2025

Southern Georgian Bay OPP say the message still hasn’t gotten across to local mariners regarding carrying sufficient lifejackets in their vessels.

Officers from the detachment and the OPP Central Region Snowmobile, ATV and Vessel Enforcement (SAVE) team are still finding people onboard without lifejackets.

During 49 hours worth of patrols between August 8-12, 48 vessels were checked, resulting in a variety of charges. Among them, 10 for insufficient lifejackets. Two others were given warnings for the offence.

OPP recommend wearing your lifejacket while on the water, with it increasing chances of survival if you should go overboard into cool water. They’ve also been educating young mariners about its importance with the “I Got Caught Wearing My Lifejacket” water safety program.

Along with charges regarding lifejacket quantities, OPP also laid various charges for other offences.

Police say 12 were charged for Canada Shipping Act violations, four for speeding violations, and two were given three-day drivers licence suspensions after providing breath samples.