OPP preaches safety following large number of marine incidents over weekend
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Ontario Provincial Police East Region is urging people to use caution in and around waterways following a busy weekend of patrolling.
By Sunday morning the OPP had responded to 14 serious marine incidents across the province, an alarming number that prompted the OPP to remind residents about water safety practices.
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“Unfortunately, this summer is shaping up like many summers that we’ve seen,” said OPP media relations manager Bill Dickson. “Everything from people trapped out on their boat with no power, to people falling out of their boats, swimmers being pulled away from shore by different currents.”
The reminder comes just one day after a fatality on Lake Huron on July 14, 2025. Police in Denbigh responded to a capsized canoe involving three people. Two individuals managed to swim to shore while the third person, a 32-year-old male, did not resurface.
Elsewhere, a 21-year-old boater from Toronto is facing charges after a passenger fell overboard on a lake northwest of Kingston.
Officers say they were called about the incident on Weslemkoon Lake near Bon Echo Provincial Park in Addington Highlands, shortly before 8 a.m. Saturday.
A 22-year-old man fell off the boat and his body was found roughly 12 hours later.
Police say the 21-year-old from Toronto, who is believed to have been operating the boat, has been charged with impaired operation, dangerous operation and operation causing death.
According to Dickson, many marine incidents, including drownings, are preventable, and unfortunately some people choose not to be safe.
“We talk about the biggest issue is life jackets or (personal flotation devices). People have to not only make sure they have them in their boats, as required by law, but they have to wear them. We keep saying that lifejacket can’t save you if you’re not wearing it.”
By law, boat owners are required to have a lifejacket for every person on board. They don’t have to be wearing it, but they must know where they are while on board, along with additional emergency equipment.
“As the captain of that vessel, you need to make sure people are aware of the safety measures that can be taken and where all the equipment is,” reminded Dickson.
He said it’s not just boaters, but includes people who use stand-up paddle boards, canoes, kayaks and non-motorized boats.
“We see incidents where people fall out of boats, they may or may not lose consciousness, but even if they capsize and their lifejacket is floating nearby, the wind could grab that and carry it away,” said Dickson, who reminded people that even if you are a good swimmer, the elements can be unpredictable. “You could hit your head; you could be injured by another boat that could be in the area. You could hit a rock or a log. You just don’t know and if you’re not wearing it, (a lifejacket) it won’t do you any good.”
Boaters and paddlers are also being reminded that alcohol or drug impairment while operating a boat is the same as driving a vehicle while impaired.
“It’s not only illegal, it’s dangerous,” Dickson said. “ If you’re caught impaired while boating, it has the same impact. You will have your driver’s licence suspended and you will be going to court and potentially convicted of impaired operation, which has all the same penalties as impaired driving on the roadways.”
The OPP is also encouraging people to check the weather forecast before heading out and to let someone know where you are going in case of an emergency.
“If something happens to you while you’re out there, and no one knows when you’re expected back, the delay in having you reported as a missing person could mean the difference between life and death,” Dickson said.
With July and August being peak months for boating and swimming, the OPP said now is the perfect time to review water safety practices with your family.
mkulchar@postmedia.com
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