Safe Boating Week takes place each May to increase public awareness about safety measures and ultimately, to save lives. This season, expect to see the Winnipeg Police Service River Patrol on rivers engaging with boaters with an emphasis on boating safety. Our goal is to help make this a safe boating season for all.
Here’s a recap of what they want to see on your boat (less than 6 metres in length):
- An appropriately sized, Canadian-approved personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket, for each person on board
- A buoyant heaving line (15 metres in length)
- Manual propelling device (an oar) or anchor with at least 15 metres of rope, cable, or chain
- Bailer or hand pump
- Sound-signaling device
- Navigation lights if the craft is used between sunset and sunrise or during periods of reduced visibility (i.e. mist and rain)
- A class 5BC fire extinguisher for any craft equipped with an inboard motor, fixed fuel tank, and/or any fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigeration units
- One re-boarding device, if the craft has a freeboard of more than one metre.
- A waterproof flashlight (make sure your the flashlight has batteries!) or 3 Canadian-approved flares (type A, B or C flares)
- A vessel license if your craft is outfitted, even temporarily, with any motor of 10 HP (7.5 kW) or more. Ensure your vessel is properly marked and you carry a copy of the vessel license
*The two last items are only mandatory if your craft is equipped with a motor.
You can find more safety information in the River Patrol section of the Winnipeg Police Service website.
Be water smart and stay safe!