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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, July 9, 2014 | 6 It's nally time to enjoy all that a Canadian summer has to offer, which for many families means a trip to the lakeside cottage. Sadly, fun on the water can quickly turn to tragedy ­ and the 2014 season is already starting out as a deadly one, according to the Ontario Provincial Police's Orillia detachment. The worst thing is, most of the fatalities that have occurred so far this year could have been avoided. By the end of June last year, OPP had recorded ve boating fatalities in their jurisdiction; by the end of June this year, there had been seven boating incidents that resulted in 11 deaths. OPP say that nine of the victims were not wearing a personal otation device (PFD) or lifejacket, and that alcohol was a factor in at least three of the incidents. In one of the incidents, three people lost their lives, and all had more than one risk factor working against their safety: alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident, as were a lack of safety equipment and cold water conditions. The OPP is dismayed by the consistent contributing factors it is seeing again this year. "This year's marine tragedies demonstrate once again that, when not worn, a PFD or lifejacket is useless safety equipment. Boating incidents come up very suddenly and afford no time to reach for a PFD let alone put it on before tragedy strikes," said Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, Commander, OPP Traf c Safety and Operational Support. Halton Regional Police are reminding everyone boating or using their recreational pleasure crafts this long weekend that having a lifejacket or approved personal otation devices (PFDs) onboard their vessel is the law. Police also reminded boaters that contrary to popular belief the lifejackets have to be either Canadian Coast Guard or Transport Canada approved to be legal on Canadian waters. Temperatures may be warm, but that doesn't mean the water is. If an emergency occurs in cold waters, it's possible for hypothermia to set in within minutes. The OPP reports while six of this year's 11 boating victims were the boat's operator, ve were passengers. OPP reminds everyone, whether you are the operator, a passenger being offered a ride or a paddler, the spike in boating fatalities this year serves as a harsh wake-up call to everyone that heads out on the water that they need to take responsibility for their own safety. OPP Chief Supt. Don Bell offers the following advice when heading out on the water: · Don't let anyone put you in an unsafe situation on the water; if you are a passenger, ask for a PFD or lifejacket before you head out in the vessel and wear it. · If the operator does not provide a PFD, do not go out onto the water with them. · If you are already on the water and the operator's behaviour is putting your safety at risk, speak up and tell them you don't feel safe. · If the risky behaviour continues, ask the operator to take you back to shore. Remember, when you get into a boat with someone you are putting your life in their hands ­ literally. So, don't be afraid to speak up; you may save more than one life. Buckle up a PFD before setting off Editorial P L A Y I N G I T S "Connected to your Community" A F E 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 52 | Number 81 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN Halton Regional Police remind those boating or using recreational pleasure crafts that having a lifejacket or approved personal otation devices (PFDs) onboard a vessel is the law. Police also remind boaters that, contrary to popular belief, the life jackets have to be either Canadian Coast Guard- or Transport Canada-approved to be legal on Canadian waters. Halton Marine Unit of cer Jeff Thurston holds up two versions of available PFDs, while wearing one himself aboard one of three vessels the service has at its marine unit.| photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Letters to the Editor MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Thanks to all who helped, especially Curtis Our German Shepherd puppy broke away from her tie-out on a recent Sunday and ran away. We were extremely concerned for her safety. She arrived at our home 12 days before and thus she did not yet know this is her home. We phoned the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS). They called back within 15 minutes, telling us that a German Shepherd was spotted near South Oakville Centre (formerly Hopedale Mall). As we drove there, we received a call reporting several more sightings. A young man, Curtis, called to say he was following our dog by car. We established phone contact with Curtis as he led us to our dog. Many thanks to all the Oakville residents who took time to call the OMHS. Thanks to the humane society for its prompt response. Mega thanks to Curtis for following our dog, in his car and notifying the OMHS. Barb and Steve Bodzasi, Oakville Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Faith food drive support was appreciated Thank you so much to the 545 volunteers who participated in the sixth annual Oakville Faith Food Drive and the 2,619 homes that lled a bag to ensure the local food banks have food over the summer to help local people in need. Special thanks to Speroway, which is helping with food storage and distribution. If you missed the food drive, please feel free to drop off food at any local food bank over the summer. We are always in need of canned meat, peanut butter, and meat soups/stews especially. Michelle Knoll, executive director, Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.