Under the theme “This summer on the water, play it by the rules”, a number of Quebec police forces will be stepping up their efforts on July 27 and 28 as part of the national concerted operation (ONC) in boating safety.

The ONC 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.

On July 13, a collision between a watercraft and a pontoon injured at least two people on the Ottawa River at Rigaud, including a woman in her thirties. The operator of the boat, a 52-year-old man, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

During the weekend, police officers will be taking action against boating enthusiasts at the dock, on the water or on the nearby road on their 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 your 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 on the Transport Canada website. 

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 problems this summer on the water, play by the rules!