National Safe Boating Awareness Week May 21-27

Richmond

2022-05-19 08:00 PDT

Videos:

Have fun - stay safe - and we’ll see you on the water.

That’s the message from the Richmond RCMP Marine Unit at the start of the 2022 boating season.

We are anticipating a very busy time on the waters around Richmond this summer, and we want everyone to be safe while they are having fun, says Sergeant Ross Lundie who is the coordinator of Richmond RCMP’s Marine Unit. Richmond RCMP’s vessel, the Fraser Guardian, will be out on the water all summer and boaters can expect to have her come alongside as our police officers conduct random safety checks, says Sgt. Lundie. We will also be out at local boat launches making sure people have the right safety equipment before they head out on the waves, he adds.

Start of the boating season

The start of the boating season is the perfect time to remind boaters of some simple tips to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time on the water this year.

Transcription

[Opening with a collage of nine videos of an RCMP boat on the water]

[Music in background]

[Safe Boating Awareness and the RCMP crest with Richmond RCMP over GRC de Richmond]

[Close up shot of two RCMP members driving RCMP boat]

[Music in background fades]

[Safe Boating Awareness and the RCMP crest with Richmond RCMP over GRC de Richmond]

[Close up of Sergeant Ross Lundie standing on the RCMP boat.]

Sergeant Ross Lundie: In order to be prepared for the start of the boating season, all boaters should ensure your regular maintenance is completed, do a thorough inspection of your boat and all its key components, inspect your safety equipment.  Does anything need to be added or replaced?  Refresh your knowledge of the boating regulations or even update your training by taking an advanced course.

[White wipe of screen to transition to a new close up of Sergeant Lundie on the boat]

Sergeant Ross Lundie: Have fun - stay safe - and we’ll see you out on the water this summer.

[Dissolve to refocus on drone shot of police boat in water near other boats]

[Music in background grows louder]

[Black screen with text and RCMP crest]

["Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Gendarmerie royale du Canada, Copyright Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2022"]

[Government of Canada logo appears then fades to black]

[Canada]

[Music fades out]

Wear your life jacket

Over 80% of Canadians who drown while boating were not wearing their lifejacket or not wearing it properly. Boat operators are required to have a lifejackets or personal floatation device for everyone on board their vessel. Be sure it fits, and that you wear it any time you are out on the water.

Transcription

[Opening with a collage of nine videos of an RCMP boat on the water]

[Music in background]

[Safe Boating Awareness and the RCMP crest with Richmond RCMP over GRC de Richmond]

[Close up shot of two RCMP members driving RCMP boat]

[Music in background fades]

[Safe Boating Awareness and the RCMP crest with Richmond RCMP over GRC de Richmond]

[Close up of Constable Tammy-Lyn Walker on the dock holding a red life jacket.]

Constable Tammy-Lyn Walker: I’m Constable Tammy-Lyn Walker of the Richmond RCMP Marine Unit. I’m here to talk to you today about some safety tips as we go into the boating season. In order to be safe on the water this summer, boaters must ensure that they have a life jacket for each passenger on board, which is accessible, approved, in good condition, and that it also fits. It’s also recommended that life jackets be worn at all times while underway on an open boat.

[White wipe of screen to transition to a new close up of Constable Walker on the boat]

Constable Tammy-Lyn Walker: Have fun - stay safe - and we’ll see you out on the water this summer.

[Dissolve to refocus on drone shot of police boat moving on the water]

[Music in background grows louder]

[Black screen with text and RCMP crest]

["Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Gendarmerie royale du Canada, Copyright Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2022"]

[Government of Canada logo appears then fades to black]

[Canada]

[Music fades out]

 

Boat Sober

Boat operators must not use alcohol, cannabis or drugs, be they illicit or prescription. It is both irresponsible and illegal, and a conviction for impaired operation could affect your ability to operate any motor vehicle in the province of British Columbia.

Be prepared – that means you and your boat

Make sure your boat has the proper safety equipment and that it is in good condition. Make sure your boat itself is in good condition and ensure you have more than enough fuel for your trip in case you encounter delays. Plan your trip in advance, paying attention to the winds, tides, currents, other vessel traffic and the general conditions in and on the water.

Share the waterway – be mindful of others

Navigating our local waterways means not only being aware of the natural environment, but also the risks posed by others using the water. Local waters see all kinds of craft from small pleasure boats to large commercial vessels, each with their own capabilities and limitations. Be aware that smaller boats may not be able to get out of your way, and large vessels may be unable to stop. See and be seen, interpret the movements of those around you, plan your route carefully, decide on your route, and execute your plan safely and deliberately.

Know the risks

Sudden cold-water immersion can impair your ability to swim or simply stay afloat – even if you are an experienced swimmer. The best chance of surviving an accidental fall into the water is to wear your lifejacket!

River waters can be extremely dangerous. Although they may appear calm on the surface, undercurrents and semi-submerged obstacles like deadheads and logs can be extremely dangerous.
This is especially true during the spring thaw, or freshet, as ice and snow melt from inland mountains causes river levels to rise significantly. Watch out for what is in the water. Whether it be flotsam or jetsam, a swimmer or a whale, boating safely means being aware of what is both on and in the water at all times.

Take an advanced boating course

If you are operating a powered recreational vessel, you are required to carry your Pleasure Craft Operator Card or some other proof of competency. Yet, even the most experienced boaters need to refresh their skills from time-to-time. If your skills are getting rusty, consider taking a refresher or advanced course.

Know the conditions

Transcription

[Opening with a collage of nine videos of an RCMP boat on the water]

[Music in background]

[Safe Boating Awareness and the RCMP crest with Richmond RCMP over GRC de Richmond]

[Close up shot of two RCMP members driving RCMP boat]

[Music in background fades]

[Safe Boating Awareness and the RCMP crest with Richmond RCMP over GRC de Richmond]

[Close up of Sergeant Ross Lundie standing on the RCMP boat]

Sergeant Ross Lundie: Boaters that are out this summer definitely need to take into consideration the overall conditions. Number one – what is the tide doing? What is the current? What is the overall weather? What is the visibility of the day? If you look at the situation we’re in here now, I’m in approximately 20 feet of water, but just over that break-water it’s as little as one foot depth. Again you need to know your conditions and know exactly where you’re boating on that day.

[White wipe of screen to transition to a new close up of Sergeant Lundie on the boat]

Sergeant Ross Lundie: Have fun - stay safe - and we’ll see you out on the water this summer.

[Dissolve to refocus on drone shot of police boat moving on the water]

[Music in background grows louder]

[Black screen with text and RCMP crest]

["Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Gendarmerie royale du Canada, Copyright Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2022"]

[Government of Canada logo appears then fades to black]

[Canada]

[Music fades out]

Be safe on the water

Transcription

[Opening with a collage of nine videos of an RCMP boat on the water]

[Music in background]

[Safe Boating Awareness and the RCMP crest with Richmond RCMP over GRC de Richmond]

[Close up shot of two RCMP members driving RCMP boat]

[Music in background fades]

[Safe Boating Awareness and the RCMP crest with Richmond RCMP over GRC de Richmond]

[Close up of Constable Tammy-Lyn Walker standing on the RCMP boat]

Constable Tammy-Lyn Walker: In order to be safe out on the water this summer, please remember to wear a life jacket – boat sober – be prepared, both you and your boat – take a safe boating course – and be aware of the risk of cold water – and remember that the best way to survive a cold water immersion is to wear your life jacket.

[White wipe of screen to transition to a new close up of Constable Tammy-Lyn Walker]

Sergeant Ross Lundie: Have fun - stay safe - and we’ll see you out on the water this summer.

[Dissolve to refocus on drone shot of police boat in water near other boats]

[Music in background grows louder]

[Black screen with text and RCMP crest]

["Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Gendarmerie royale du Canada, Copyright Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2022"]

[Government of Canada logo appears then fades to black]

[Canada]

[Music fades out]

To everyone planning to use the water this boating season, Richmond RCMP says, "Have fun - stay safe - and we’ll see you on the water."

Released by

Cpl. Ian Henderson

Media Relations Officer
Richmond RCMP
11411 No. 5 Road, Richmond, BC, V7A 4E8
Office: 604-207-4747
Cell: 604-765-4528

Email: richmond_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: richmond.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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