By Vanessa Ybarra

Boaters urged to practice extra safety over May long weekend

May 20, 2017 | 10:05 AM

KAMLOOPS — Interior boaters are being urged to make safety a top priority when out on the water this May long weekend.

North American Safe Boating Awareness Week takes place across Canada from May 20th to May 26th.

The week is focused on promoting safe and responsible boating practices for the 14 million Canadians who participate in the recreational activity.

“We’re holding it at this time of the year because this weekend is the unofficial start to the boating weekend,” said Ian Gilson with the Canadian Safe Boating Council. “We’re wanting to remind people of five key messages when it comes to boating safety. The most important one is to sear a life jacket. If you fall overboard and the boat starts drifting away, you may never be able to catch up.”

Other safety tips include:

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• Wearing a lifejacket
• Never drinking and boating
• Taking a safe boating course
• Undergoing a property safety check of your vessel before casting off.

While boating fatalities are on the decrease, the CSBC says still an average of 100 boating-related deaths every year in Canada. 

For more safety tips, click here.