FROM: Central Hastings Detachment

Police urge you to wear a PFD, even on small vessels

(MARMORA, ON) - Police are regularly patrolling local waterways, conducting routine safety checks and enforcing the Canada Shipping Act to ensure that boaters are keeping themselves and their children safe on the water.

On Monday, July 21, 2025, officers with the Central Hastings Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting marine patrol on Crowe Lake in the Municipality of Marmora and Lake, when they observed two people in a kayak. One was not wearing a life jacket.

A 46-year-old man from Whitby was charged with operating a human-powered pleasure craft without personal floatation device or life jacket of appropriate size for each person on board.

He was issued an offence notice with a total payable fine of $240. (Notably the Canada Shipping Act (2001) Small Vessel Regulations prescribes an additional $100 fine for each additional personal floatation device (PFD) or life jacket missing.)