Sparrow Lake Boater charged for lack of lifejackets

OPP officers on Sparrow Lake in northeast Orillia. (OPP)

Police say a patrol of Sparrow Lake yesterday was free of incidents for all boaters, except one.

The Orillia detachment of the Ontario Province Police (OPP) are reminding residents to keep personal floatation devices (PFD) on board their vessels.

On Wednesday, while on a patrol, OPP charged one boater with an offence under the Transport Canada Small Vessel Regulations, for not having any PFDs on board, despite having three occupants.

“Having a properly fitting PFD for every person on board is not only required by law — it saves lives,” Orillia OPP said in a statement shared on social media.

According to Transport Canada Small Vessel Regulations, there must be one lifejacket or PFD for each person on board of the vessel. The lifejackets must be approved Transport Canada, the Canadian coast or Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Often, major retailers sell PFDs with approval labels already attached.

The PFD must be the appropriate size for the wearer and must be maintained/in working condition.

On an open vessel, PFDs must be worn. On a closed vessel, they must be on board and easily accessible. On a personal watercraft such a Sea-Doo or Jet Ski, they must be worn and inherently buoyant.

For a full list of PFD regulations, visit the government of Canada’s website.