With the first long weekend of warm weather here and many cottagers heading out to open their summer homes, OPP are putting out the usual boating safety reminders.
Authorities say eight people have already died on OPP-patrolled waterways this year, which is almost three times as many as this time last year.
Sergeant Steve Mihill with the OPP SAVE Team says people just aren’t respecting the waterways.
Authorities stress it’s important to wear your life jackets and not just have them on-board, since you may not be near one if your boat runs into problems, or you happen to unexpectedly end up in the water.
Mihill also says at least one of those deaths earlier this year happened when a boat was overloaded and swamped, which could be a problem for anyone opening up for the summer.
Mihill added that alcohol has been a factor in some of the incidents as well and seven of eight victims were between the ages of 21 and 28.
He says two of those victims were women and the other five were men.
OPP say they will be out in full force on area roads and waterways this long weekend, with enforcement campaigns ongoing.
