Local authorities are reminding boaters to be safe on the water ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend.
The holiday weekend usually marks the start of boating season and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Windsor police will again be patrolling local waterways.
The Mounties are urging the public to report suspicious activity.
"You can make a difference to help keep our border and waterways safe," the RCMP said. "We value your knowledge, common sense and familiarity with your area and are counting on you to help."
The RCMP said each year many people are needlessly killed or injured as a result of marine incidents and will be on the lookout for unsafe boating practices and criminal activity on the water.
Officers will also be patrolling the Canada/U.S. border to ensure the public and commerce are able to safely move around the waterways. They will be randomly checking various vessels for required documents and equipment.
“With the warm weather finally upon us we can now expect to see many folks out enjoying recreational boating on our waterways," stated Sergeant Ian McNeill, RCMP marine coordinator for Ontario. "So please as a reminder always be cautious, remember to wear your life jacket, do not operate watercraft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and always be aware as the water temperatures are still very cold.”
The OPP said 22 of the 24 people who died in last year's boating and paddling incidents across the province were not wearing a life jacket. Provincial police added 11 people died when they fell overboard and seven deaths were a result of capsized vessels. They said alcohol and/or drugs were involved in at least eight of the fatalities.
Call local police or RCMP Coastal Watch at 1-800-387-0020 to make a report. To report an emergency along the border, call 911 or call local police.