Vacations, warm temperatures and good weather make many Quebecers want to enjoy the water, and this sometimes comes at the expense of safety.
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As part of a coordinated national operation, marine patrol personnel from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) patrolled several waterways in the province this weekend to raise awareness among boaters.
Screenshot/TVA News
TVA Nouvelles, patrolling the St. Lawrence River on Saturday afternoon, was able to observe some failures among water sports enthusiasts.
Screenshot/VAT messages
He was arrested after he jumped the waves of a riverboat, a private watercraft that was ejected from the water because its passenger was not wearing an adequate life preserver.
The arrests were “highly linked to defective, missing or non-compliant safety equipment,” explains the SQ’s Maritime Coordination Sergeant Nicholas Wyer.
Screenshot/TVA News
“Happiness is also at the level of craft licenses and proof of competence,” he adds.
Also, while the boat was moving, the police also alerted the boatmen who were lying in front of the boat.
Screenshot/TVA News
Around 700 tickets have been distributed to rowers by SQ since 2020.
This number also does not take into account warnings issued by the police.
Screenshot/TVA News
In addition to monitoring compliance with maritime rules, the police sometimes intervene to help boaters who find themselves in unfortunate situations in the middle of the waters.
The combined operation took place this weekend, but patrol boats are on the water all summer to ensure everyone’s safety.
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