Police blitz to focus on keeping boaters ‘dry’

Ottawa and Gatineau police will be patrolling the waters this weekend with a special focus on reducing alcohol consumption while boating and boat safety for Operation Dry Water.

“This weekend, we’re putting more emphasis (on boating safety), but we patrol the waters all year round,” said Gatineau Const. Andrée East.

“We’re looking at the person who is driving the boat and their capacity to drive, but we will also be checking for proper licences, checking to see if all of the equipment is on the boat and up to regulation standards.”

Operation Dry Water is in its fifth year and is in partnership with the Canadian Safe Boating Council.

According to Gatineau police, about 40 per cent of fatal boating accidents are related to alcohol consumption while operating a boat, and the goal of the program is to bring awareness and ultimately get citizens to “abandon a harmful habit.”

“Summer boating is in high gear and this long weekend is the ideal time to remind boaters about the risks of drinking and boating,” said Const. Raphael Millaire of the Ottawa police marine, dive and trail unit, in a media release.

“During Operation Dry Water, marine enforcement will saturate high traffic areas on lakes and canals throughout the provinces, intensifying efforts to detect and apprehend boat operators who are operating under the influence of alcohol,” said a media release from CSBC.

Under Canadian law, operating a motorized watercraft under the influence of alcohol can result in a charge under the Criminal Code of impaired driving even if the operator’s blood alcohol level does not exceed 80 milligrams for 100 millilitres of blood, said the release.

We’re looking at the person who is driving the boat and their capacity to drive …