Thompson RCMP and the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) are teaming up to launch Operation Dry Water, an initiative to discourage drinking and boating and reduce alcohol-related boating deaths.
Alcohol use is a factor in approximately 40 per cent of boating-related fatalities on Canadian waters and Operating Dry Water is focusing on reminding boaters the risks that drinking and boating entails.
Any boat operator can be charged with impaired operation of a vessel under Canada’s Criminal Code if their blood-alcohol level exceeds .08 and impaired boating in Manitoba carries the same penalties as impaired driving. A 24-hour driver’s licence suspension can be issued to people driving boats with a blood alcohol concentration between 50 and 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
Operation Dry Water aims to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities on Canadian waters and ensure safer and more enjoyable recreational boating for everyone by providing a stronger and more visible deterrent to drinking and boating.
