The Canadian Coast Guard says pre-event safety education seemed to have a positive impact at Sunday's St. Clair River Float Down.
Upwards of 5,000 people took part in the unsanctioned event, mostly on the American side, with hundreds of Canadians entering the river at Point Edward.
Coast Guard spokesperson Carol Launderville noticed more people wearing personal floatation devices than during previous years.
"It does buy you some time in the water, not just on Float Down day but anytime you're out on the water," says Lauderville. "First responders, especially in a situation like this where there are so many people at once in one area, can't get to you as quickly as you might think they can. It does buy us some time for us to come and get you."
Participants were also encouraged not to drink alcohol and no arrests were made during the event.
Launderville says there were 50 vessels on patrol on both sides of the river, including 10 from the Canadian Coast Guard who rescued six people who had fallen into the river.
She says the total cost of the safety effort is still being determined.
Other agencies involved in the safety effort include Transport Canada, RCMP, CBSA, OPP, Sarnia Fire and Rescue, Pt. Edward Fire and Rescue, and Sarnia police.