Safe Quiet Lakes (SQL) is launching its annual public safety campaign in partnership with the OPP.
The launch event will take place at the Port Carling Locks on Saturday, May 19th, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This year the campaign is focusing on educating boaters about respectful boating practices and the dangers of excessive speed and wakes. Excessive speeds and wakes are dangerous and cause environmental and property damage.
‘Slow down – bow down’ will be the focus of the SQL and OPP’s summer-long campaign to educate and enforce the existing laws about the 9 kilometres per hour speed limit when less than 30 metres from shore. Boaters are invited to meet with the OPP and Safe Quiet Lakes representatives to learn more about boating practices that help eliminate excessive wakes and the safety hazards they create.
“The principal focus of our organization is to encourage and maintain a culture of respect on the lakes,” says Frances Carmichael, chair of Safe Quiet Lakes. “Last year the most extensive survey of residents ever conducted by ERIN Research on behalf of the SQL showed that the top three concerns that residents have are related to excessive wakes, excessive speed – especially close to shore and excessive noise – especially personal watercraft.”
“What started as a grassroots community meeting with 10 people in 2012 has grown to a crowd of more than 70 stakeholders representing numerous lake/resident associations and local businesses,” continues Carmichael.
This OPP wants to hear from residents who witness dangerous and illegal activities by calling 911 if it’s an emergency. The OPP is also asking residents to call its non-emergency line 1-888-310-1122 to report non-emergency activities that include recurrences of excessive noise that involve operating without a prescribed muffler and speed so that resources can be allocated to tackle the problem.
People calling 911 or the toll-free line should gather as much information as possible by taking detailed notes or video. Useful information includes boat registration number, colour, make, model, time, frequency and location of the incident and a description of the operator.
The Safe Quiet Lakes campaign begins on the Victoria Day long weekend and will run through Labour Day, reminding lake users that “Boaters Always Care”http://safequiet.ca/
During the campaign volunteers from Safe Quiet Lakes and officers from the OPP Marine Unit will be working with boat operators to educate them on the ways to operate their vessels safely, quietly and respectfully.
