Boat launches in the county are reopening
Nearly all boat launches in Peterborough County will be open for the Victoria Day long weekend.
On Thursday, Premier Doug Ford announced that marinas, boat clubs and boat launches can open for recreational use in Ontario as of Saturday. After the province’s announcement, county mayors, along with some deputy mayors and Peterborough County OPP officers, held a conference call to discuss a plan of action, said Rodger Bonneau, Mayor of AsphodelNorwood Township.
“On that conference call, that’s when basically our hands were untied from the matter,” Bonneau said.
“Marinas have boat launches and so instead of over inundating those businesses, most of the mayors decided as a collective group that we would all do it at the same time.”
According to Bonneau, the only public boat launch in the county that won’t be opening is at Hiawatha First Nation, which has a checkpoint at its entranceway.
“Chief Laurie Carr there, she said that hers won’t be opening, just because she’s still trying to keep her area safe,” Bonneau said. “I can also state that Peterborough South, which is As
phodel-Norwood, South Monaghan and then further down — Cramahe and Port Hope and so on — they’re opening, too.” Peterborough County OPP are asking boaters to follow several recommendations and tips.
“Contact the marina or storage facility where your vessel is located in advance to ensure it is accessible and ready for use. Be patient as these businesses will need time to prepare your vessel,” a news release from the OPP stated.
Before launching, boaters need to ensure they have all required safety equipment onboard, police advised.
“Any operator who is unsure of the equipment required for their vessel please view the Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide,” the OPP release stated.
The Trent-Severn Waterway is not expected to open until at least June 1 and police say the water levels are low for this time of year.
“This means that channel markers, hazard markers and buoys have not been properly placed after the winter. Use caution when operating your vessel even if you are familiar with the body of water you are on,” the OPP release stated.
Visitor services and vehicle access remains suspended along the waterway, Parks Canada advises, and all lock stations, boat launches, washrooms and dayuse areas remain closed.
With the province’s COVID-19 state of emergency orders still in place, OPP urge people to maintain physical distancing of two metres and wear personal protective equipment when physical distancing is difficult to maintain.
People should clean their hands with hand sanitizer or soap and water and should avoid touching their face with unwashed hands, police advised.
Bonneau said he hopes boaters will be patient and take their turn.
“Hopefully, they’ll remain close to their car or close to their boat on shore when the other people are unloading, and that they just be respectful of people’s space,” he said.
People need to remember this virus is still out there, Bonneau said.
“That seems to be the new thing now is that people are getting upset and they’re getting impatient, but if they think that this illness is not out there still, then they’re mistaken,” he said.
Those coming to cottages from the GTA are also a concern, Bonneau said.
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