The Ontario Provincial Police are pleading with boaters to wear life jackets after a sharp rise in marine fatalities this summer.
So far, there have been ten water-related deaths in eastern Ontario—more than double the number reported by this time last year. In every case, the victim was not wearing a life jacket.
The OPP’s Bill Dickson says making sure the life-saving equipment is on hand is the law.
Dickson notes that capsizing and falling overboard are the leading causes of boating deaths, and wearing a life jacket can save lives.
The OPP are reminding everyone enjoying Ontario’s lakes and rivers this summer to take safety seriously. Don’t keep the life jacket stowed. Dickson says experience shows that causes big problems.
Whether you’re in a canoe, kayak, or motor vessel, Dickson makes it clear: wearing a life jacket can be the difference between life and death.