Coaldale-Picture Butte and Taber RCMP urge caution and preparedness on the water this summer

By Kristine Jean
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Boating season is underway across the province and local RCMP detachments are reminding Albertans about safety on the water this summer. 

Safe Boating Awareness Week was recently held from May 17-23, and Coaldale-Picture Butte and Taber RCMP is reminding everyone from seasoned boaters to first-time paddlers, to make safety their top priority. 

“We do have lakes and rivers in our detachment area and it’s a reminder for all people using boats that they must comply with all the regulations, just to be safe,” said Coaldale-Picture Butte RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Numan, noting lakes in the Lethbridge County area include Keyhole Lake, Stafford Lake and Park Lake. “It’s summertime, there’s hot days, people are on the waterways and we want to make sure they do it safely.”  

Whether using a kayak, canoe, fishing boat, or jet ski, safe boating practices save lives, noted Numan, adding it’s important to remember some key safety practices before heading out on the water. 

They include, always wearing an approved life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) whenever you’re on the water, no matter your swimming ability or boating experience. Alcohol and drugs, including prescription medications, impair judgment and reaction time. Boating under the influence is illegal and dangerous. In late spring, many waterways remain dangerously cold and cold water shock can impair your ability to swim or stay afloat.

 Dress for the water temperature and know how to react if you fall in. Anyone operating a powered recreational vessel must carry proof of competency, such as a Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Consider enrolling in advanced boating safety courses or hands-on training to sharpen your skills. Make sure your boat is mechanically sound and carries the required safety equipment, including life jackets, bailers, signaling devices, and fire extinguishers. Check the weather forecast, ensure you have enough fuel and always file a trip plan with someone on shore. Follow local boating regulations, stay alert to your surroundings, and keep a safe distance from swimmers, wildlife, and other vessels. Noise, speed, and wake can pose serious risks to others.  Responsible boating reduces strain on emergency services and search and rescue teams and a well-prepared outing means you’re less likely to need help and more likely to enjoy a stress-free day.

“We have a boat that we can have access to in the Taber RCMP detachment area. So RCMP, along with Alberta Fish and Wildlife and conservation officers will be periodically out on the lakes doing some checks, just like we would for check stops on vehicles,” said Numan, noting that includes impaired driving. “We’re always looking for impaired driving by vehicle and by boat,” he said, emphasizing the RCMP’s main goal is keeping people safe on the water this season. 

“We don’t want any accidents or incidents on the water. Injuries or fatalities – we want to avoid that.”