Under the theme Cet été sur l’eau, soyez réglo, a number of police forces across Quebec will be stepping up their actions from July 28 to 30, as part of the second edition of a concerted national operation  in boating safety.

This operation targets boater behavior that jeopardizes their own safety and that of others.

Whether at dockside, on the water or on the road, the number of boaters continues to grow. Human behavior is a major factor in most collisions, capsizings and drownings. Knowing your boat and familiarizing yourself with its equipment when out on the water can prevent deplorable situations caused by inexperience.

Over the weekend, police officers will be dealing with a variety of boating enthusiasts, whether at the dock, on the water, or on the nearby road on the way home. Depending on the situation, they will apply the various laws and regulations, notably the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.

Safety tips

• Check the weather forecast for the day before setting out;
• Do an overview of the area and plan an itinerary using a map or the web if you don't know where you'll be sailing;
• Make sure you have all the equipment required for the activity in question. For example, each occupant is required to have a personal flotation device (PFD) adapted to his or her size, inside any type of boat;
• Find out if there are any boating bans in effect in the selected area;
• Inform someone of the route plan or activity (itinerary, details of the boat and number of people on board, expected time of return, etc.);
• It is recommended not to consume alcohol aboard a boat. Boaters who consume alcohol considerably increase the risk of death or injury, and may be subject to penalties under the Criminal Code.

For more information on boating safety tips and rules, consult the boating safety guide at: https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/migrated/tp_511f.pdf

It's important to remember that, through these operations, all our partners want to ensure that water sports enthusiasts can enjoy their activities in complete safety, throughout Quebec.

To avoid getting into trouble, cet été sur l'eau, soyez réglo!