Operation Dry Water

Aug. 2, 2018 -- Calgary, AB -- Drinking and boating accounts for approximately 40 per cent of boating-related fatalities on Canadian waterways. This August Heritage Day long weekend, the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the Calgary Police Service, are partnering to raise awareness about impaired boating and safe water recreation through Operation Dry Water.

With the summer boating season in high gear, the August Heritage Day long weekend is the perfect time to remind Canadian boaters about the risks of impaired boating. Combined with sun, wind, waves and the rocking motion of the boat, the effects of alcohol and drugs on the water can be greatly increased.

“The CSBC, its partners and sponsors would like, through this and our other initiatives, to raise attention to the problem of boating under the influence and to remind boaters to boat sober,” stated John Gullick, Chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council.

Operation Dry Water will focus on educating boaters and rafters about the potential risks of impaired boating. Federal statutes dictate that boaters can be charged with Impaired Operation of a Vessel under the Criminal Code of Canada if they are found to be impaired. Under current and proposed legislation, human-powered craft are not excluded from the definition of a vessel and, so, are subject to the same penalties.

Operation Dry Water is aimed at reducing the number of impairment-related accidents and fatalities on the water while fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use while boating. The end goal? To achieve safer and more enjoyable recreational boating, whether on one of our rivers, or lakes.

“At the end of the day we want everyone to have fun and go home safely. Conditions on the river can change in an instant and impaired judgement or reaction time can have fatal consequences,” says CPS Marine Unit Sgt. Alasdair Robertson-More.

This initiative is made possible through support of Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety.

For a 30-second PSA and additional media resources on boating safety please visit www.csbc.ca under CSBC Safety Campaigns.

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For further information contact: 
CPS Media Line
403-428-7979

Ian Gilson
Director – Canadian Safe Boating Council
905-719-5152
igilson@rogers.com