64 percent of boating-related fatalities in Manitoba happen while people were drinking.
The Canadian Safe Boating Council is holding Operation Dry Water this weekend in an attempt to warn people of the dangers of being intoxicated while boating.
Christopher Love the Water Smart Coordinator for the lifesaving society—Manitoba Branch encourages to save the partying until after the day out on the water.
“From our point of view as an education effort, we want to raise awareness that this is a dangerous thing to do. And can results in serious injury or death to you if you’re under the influence and driving.” He continues, “But there’s also the fact that very serious charges could be brought against you as well if you are caught under the influence by enforcement officers, bylaw officers, or police.”
Human-powered boats are not excluded from the definition of a vessel and means if you are caught drinking in a canoe you could be charged with impaired operation of a Vessel under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Love says alcohol isn’t the only thing Operation Dry Water is warning people to stay away from. “Drugs, there are some intoxication cases, but alcohol is the big one and the one Operation Dry Water is really focusing on. But of course, we are concerned. We are going to have cannabis legalization coming up and that could also affect our stats. So, at this point in time we are just asking everybody, ‘hey, be boating sober no matter what it is you’re taking’.”
"Summer is all about having fun, and being out on the water is one great way to do that," said S/Sgt Bob Chabot of the Manitoba RCMP. "However, that fun can come to a crashing halt if someone gets seriously injured or dies because of a decision to boat while impaired. The RCMP will be out on the water during Operation Dry Water to help keep it safe, which will keep it fun."
Across Canada, 40 percent of boating-related fatalities are caused when people are drinking.
