Chatham-Kent police and local municipal officials are reminding boaters to be respectful of property owners -- and the speed limit -- when they're out on area waterways.
A release from the municipality said Councillors Anthony Ceccacci, Clare Latimer, and Jamie McGrail are among the council members who have all received calls from residents or have expressed concerns about the issue.
"The majority of boaters are responsible but we have some who may not be aware of the potential damage or are willfully disobeying the speed limit," Ceccacci said. "It’s an education process."
Chatham-Kent police officials said that while there is no regulation regarding wake, many sections of the inland waterways (rivers, creeks) in the municipality have posted speed limits of eight kilometres per hour. Police also patrol those waterways, enforcing speed and safety-related issues.
In addition to the obeying law, Mayor Darrin Canniff said he is also encouraging boaters to use common courtesy, respecting local residents with waterfront properties.
"Water levels are at a historic high and wake from passing boats can easily wash over docks and shorelines, causing damage to moored boats, seawalls and property," he said. "The high water is also putting strain on the dikes that protect thousands of acres of farmland... a little consideration goes a long way."
Earlier this month, the record-high water levels prompted the Windsor Port Authority to issue a boating ban that covers a lengthy stretch of the Detroit River.
There are currently no boating bans in effect for waters in and around Chatham-Kent.