Alcohol contributes to more than half of boating related deaths

Every year, hundreds of people die from boating-related activities that involve the use of alcohol.

According to the Canadian Red Cross, alcohol contributes to over 40 per cent of recreational boating fatalities and despite many people thinking it's okay to drink and boat, it's just as illegal as driving while impaired and can be even more dangerous.

“Many people who would never drive their car after drinking alcohol or using drugs, don't think twice about combining boating and alcohol or drugs,” the Red Cross states.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is also reminding citizens to practice safe boating, including wearing a lifejacket.

DYK: It's the law to carry a lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD) that fits each person on a watercraft. It’s recommended that you wear a lifejacket or a PFD on every trip, and for the entire trip.
For more info about boating safety, visit: https://t.co/DpBt1TPesS pic.twitter.com/524NA2Pfoz

— Ottawa Public Health (@OttawaHealth) August 14, 2022

“It's the law to carry a lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD) that fits each person on a watercraft,” OPH tweeted on Aug. 14. “It’s recommended that you wear a lifejacket or a PFD on every trip, and for the entire trip.”