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P.C. Jim Goodwin is one of five Durham Region police officers who have taken special marine patrol training for their work on Lake Scugog. MARKET Friday, August 10th - 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, August 11th- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. QUEEN STREET & PLAZAS - PORT PERRY 9th ANNUAL WESTERN WEEKEND Sponsored by Scugog Chamber of Commerce IVIERSONI INSURANCE AGENCY LIMITED Hospital Report Week Ending August 2nd Admissions...................... 37 Births........cooeeveiiiiiieennnnnnns 3 Deaths.........ccovvvvvrvrennnnnnn. 2 EOR. iirc. 212 OR. 14 Discharged...................... 28 Remaining.............cc........ 35 AROUND THE TOWN Tracey and Bradley Red- shaw of Lindsay spent a few days last week with their grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Redshaw. MUSIC EXAM RESULTS Congratulations to Lisa Bailey. She has completed her Grade II Piano exam with 86 per cent - 1st class honours. She is a student of Audrey Beauchamp. 193 QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY 985-7306 | The one you're looking for. ALL LINES OF GENERAL INSURANCE 10 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, August 8, 1979 ent, part P.R. Just about everyone knows that Lake Scugog on a hot summer weekend means boats, boats and more boats. They come in all sizes, from the small runabouts with light engines, to the fast speed machines, to luxurious cabin cruisers., There are also sail-boats, canoes, windsurfers, water- skiers, scuba divers, swimmers and even the odd float plane. All of them are competing for space on the waters of Scugog. The Durham Region police marine patrol, which has been in operation since early this summer has three objec- tives: enforcement of the many federal and provincial laws including the criminal code which apply to the operation of any boat, to further public education and awareness of boating and water safety, and to "show the flag" to make people who use the lake for recreation aware that there is a police presence, and those who break the laws can face serious charges. P.C. Jim Goodwin is one of five Durham constables who took special training this spring with the Toronto police and the Toronto Harbour Police for the Durham marine patrol. - In _an interview with the Star last week, Constable Goodwin said that while enforcement is important, the officers have to use their own judgement. "You have to remember that people on this lake are in a holiday mood," he said. "We try to take that into consideration." Nonetheless, the marine patrol officers have been laying charges this summer, mostly for not having the right number of proper life jackets or other essential equipment such as paddles, and bailing equipment. In addition, two charges have been laid for the more serious offense of dangerous boating, and a couple more incidents are under investi- gation. Const. Goodwin said that almost all boat owners seem to have a good knowledge of the rules and regulations. And since they have a considerable investment in their boats they are not as likely to do anything foolish. He suggested that problems seem to occur with people who either rent or Annual Interest 10%% Semi-Annually STANDARD Annual Interest 10v2% Semi-Annually the munidpal savings 8 103N ONporaton 5 YEAR 04 Annual Interest 10% Semi-Annually VICTORIA acdonald- [8 AND GREY | (ost bmisacn % TRUST Since I844 5 YEAR Annual Interest 103/4 10%% Semi-Annually 10%2% Semi-Annually 5 YEAR 03/4 Annual Interest borrow a boat for a day without first making them- selves aware of the rules and how to properly operate a vessel. While Const. Goodwin admits there are times when a little discretion has to be used, he says there are occasions, 'when we have to come down hard." Dangerous boating is one example he cites which could jeopardize the life of the boater or an innocent bystander. He also has little patience for people who go out- in their boats without proper life jackets. "Everybody should know that you need life jackets," he states. The marine officers patrol the lake from Friday to Sunday and on all holiday Mondays. The patrol boat is a 20 foot Grew model equip- ped With a 305 V8 inboard- outboard motor. It has full communications including portable radios. The first aid kit includes oxygen and ventilator for drowning victims, which so far this summer has not been used. While the officers do not wear sidearms while on patrol, they do carry weapons in the boat. In addition to the small vessel regulations of the Canada Shipping Act and the Criminal Code, the officers also enforce the Liquor Licencing Act, if there are flagrant violations. . Const. Goodwin feels that public awareness of the rules and practise of safer boating is on the increase. For those boaters who may be commit- ting a minor offense, there is usually a warning and a booklet called the boating safety guide published by Transport Canada. The police hand the books out, free. Const. Goodwin says he enjoys the marine patrol. "there is a lot of public relations involved in this part of the job. It's not the same as highway patrol," he says. While the marine patrol is obviously necessary and acts as a deterrent to potentially dangerous situations on the lake, it almost didn't even get afloat this year. Severe restrictions on the police budget this past winter nearly resulted in the force not being able to buy the patrol boat. The marine patrol on Scugog was started by the OPP more than a decade ago, and the responsibilities were handed over to the Durham force when the latter took over policing duties in Scugog Township on January 1, of this year. When the Durham force expands its coverage into Brock Township next year, it is expected that a marine patrol will be started on part of Lake Simcoe. In the meantime, the five officers with responsibility for Scugog will be busy every weekend * from now until October enforcing the laws and trying to make the popular recreation of boating a little safer for everyone. ®