Safe Boating Awareness Week

Safe Boating Awareness Week takes place the fourth week of May each year and is an opportunity to remind boaters about the importance of safe boating practices. Since 1995, Safe Boating Awareness Week has been the mainstay of boating safety to over 16 million people who spend time out on Canadian waters. Each year, the awareness week is dedicated to boat safety messages to ensure we all do our part to keep all boaters safe.

For Safe Boating Awareness Week, Lambton Shores Fire and Emergency Services shares these important reminders in hopes of increasing boating safety while reducing the number of emergency calls on the water.

Lifejackets

There's no question: lifejackets save lives. Over 80% of Canadians who drown while boating were not wearing a lifejacket, or not wearing it properly. Lifejackets can be the difference between life and death, and should be worn while you are out on the water.

Boat Sober

Whether it's prescription drugs, alcohol, or cannabis, the use of intoxicants is both irresponsible and illegal. Alcohol and other intoxicants have no place on the water and you can be convicted of impaired operation that also affects your automobile license.

Boating Courses

If you are operating a powered recreational vessel, you should have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card or some other proof of competency. But that is just as start, so consider taking some advanced courses. If your boating preference tends towards paddle, this is the perfect time to enroll in some on water training. Or if you are just starting out, log onto and start your boating in a paddle craft responsibly. The site is not a substitute for on water training, but it does provide a great first step in education about paddle craft.

Preparation: you and your vessel

Make sure you and your boat are up to your planned on-water activities. That means you are knowledgeable about your upcoming trip, your boat is properly equipped with the required and good to have safety equipment, the weather is suitable for the voyage, you have sufficient fuel and you have filed a trip plan.

Plus, this is not all about you…it is important to keep in mind that by staying out of trouble you will not be putting pressure on rescue resources.

Cold Water Safety

Cold water can severely impact your ability to swim or even stay afloat. Even the best swimmers will feel the effects of a sudden cold-water immersion. No matter your swimming ability, best chance of surviving an accidental cold-water immersion is to wear your lifejacket!

9577 Port Franks Road, Thedford, ON N0M 2N0
Municipal Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 519-243-1400 | 1-866-943-1400 | Fax: 519-243-8611