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BOAT SAFETY

RCMP encourage good boat safety practices this summer

Jul 12, 2019 | 3:22 PM

KAMLOOPS — If you’re planning to head out onto one of the many beautiful lakes and rivers in our region this summer, you may want to stop by the Pioneer Park boat launch Saturday afternoon.

Members of the city’s crime prevention team, along with ICBC staff and RCMP members will be on hand discussing boat safety with members of the community.

Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says they’ll be reminding boaters and jet skiers about some of the important safety measures required while on the water.

“Really, the things that boaters need to look at are safety in advance and then consideration while on the water,” Shelkie says. “So safety in advance would be making sure you know how to operate your boat in a safe manner, making sure you have life jackets for every person on board, don’t drink and boat or use drugs and boat, and when you’re on the water just make sure that the consideration that you have for other boaters is always being displayed.”

Over the past few years, there have been several boat accidents resulting in injury and even death on the rivers around the city. That’s one of the reasons RCMP decided it was important to remind boaters how to stay safe when the waterways are busy.

“We just want to send that message out there because we know that a lot of these accidents that happen on waterways can be avoided, and it really comes down to being prepared and being considerate and knowing what the rules of boating are,” Shelkie says.

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