As summer temperatures bring more people out onto Okanagan Lake, the ѻý RCMP are increasing their enforcement efforts on the water—particularly when it comes to paddleboarders.
In collaboration with the RCMPѻý West Coast Marine Services, local officers conducted a four-day operation at the end of July to ensure compliance with water safety regulations.
On Saturday, July 26, officers responded to a distress call involving two paddleboarders stranded near the William R. Bennett Bridge during a high-wind event. The pair were located clinging to a yellow buoy on the north side of the bridge and were safely rescued by police.
“We were fortunate that one of the paddle boarders was able to call 911 and that neither sustained injury—despite not having any safety equipment on board, including life jackets,” said Cpl. Michael Gauthier of the Community Safety Unit. “This incident could have easily ended in tragedy.”
According to Transport Canada regulations, paddle boarders are required to carry specific safety equipment while on the water. These include:
• One life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) per person
• One buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres (49’3”) long
• One sound-signalling device (whistle)
• One watertight flashlight (if paddling after sunset, before sunrise, or in restricted visibility)
If every person on board is wearing a life jacket or PFD of appropriate size, only a sound-signalling device and watertight flashlight are required.
“Of the hundreds of paddle boarders we’ve stopped this summer, only about 10% were wearing or carrying a life jacket—and even fewer had a whistle,” Gauthier said. “Conditions on Okanagan Lake can change quickly, turning a leisurely outing into a dangerous situation requiring rescue—or resulting in fines.”
For more information on watercraft safety regulations, the RCMP encourages all lake users to consult the Safe Boating Guide available online.