Kick?off to Safe Boating Awareness Week and Media Day

Thursday, May 19, 2016, 10 a.m.

Police Marine Unit, 259 Queen’s Quay West

 On Thursday, May 19, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., at 259 Queen’s Quay West, the City of Toronto will officially proclaim May 21? 27, 2016, as North American Safe Boating Awareness Week.

Following the proclamation, the Toronto Police Service Marine Unit and the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) will host a media day with numerous exciting events until 12:00 p.m. Leading up to the long weekend, the Toronto Police Marine Unit, Canadian Safe Boating Council, the Lifesaving Society, the Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons, MADD Canada, Red Cross, Coleman/Stearns, the Canadian Coast Guard (in their Coast Guard cutter Cape Storm) and Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak will stage numerous unique interactive stations for media to experience the essentials of boating safety, such as:

The importance of wearing a lifejacket and the varieties available; also tips on lifejacket selection for children – Red Cross & Coleman/Stearns

The dangers of Impaired Boating – MADD Canada

Canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, (Safety Equipment, Skill Levels and Preparedness) ? Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak

Dangers of Cold Water Immersion – Toronto Police Services Marine Unit

Search & Rescue activities on Lake Ontario – Canadian Coast Guard (Also Tours of the Cape Storm Cutter)

Flare Demonstration – Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons

The Victoria Day long weekend is considered by many as the unofficial start of summer. The goal of this event and Safe Boating Awareness Week is to decrease the number of boating fatalities by educating the public as they begin their boating season with the knowledge and key boating safety tips to help ensure that every trip is a round trip.

For further information please contact:

Ian M. Gilson
Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC)
Phone: 905?719?5152
igilson@rogers.com
www.csbc.ca

or

Richard Baker
Toronto Police Marine Unit
416-808-5821
Richard.Baker@torontopolice.on.ca