Police will be cracking down on impaired boaters on local waterways.

OPP are joining the Canadian Safe Boating Council to launch Operation Dry Water, an education and enforcement initiative aimed at discouraging boaters from boating under the influence of alcohol and reducing alcohol-related boating deaths.

Police say drinking and boating accounts for approximately 40 per cent of boating-related fatalities on Canadian waterways. 

Officers are reminding boaters the impairment effects of alcohol on the water can be greatly increased when combined with sun, wind, waves and the rocking motion of the boat.

With the summer boating season in high gear, the August long weekend is an opportune time to launch this boating safety initiative and remind Canadian boaters not to drink and boat.

Regardless of where you boat in Canada, operating a vessel with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in excess of .08 BAC is Impaired Operation of a Vessel under the Criminal Code of Canada.

In Ontario, boat operators will also have their driver’s licence suspended immediately. 

Upon conviction, boating privileges may be suspended and a Criminal Impaired Driving conviction will be registered. 

Operation Dry Water runs from July 28 to Aug.1.

During that time, the OPP and CSBC will collaborate on raising awareness of the risks of impaired boating through joint enforcement and education, in an effort to save lives and make recreational boating safer and more enjoyable for everyone.