Voluntary boat check program hitting the water in Vernon

VERNON – Starting this weekend you will be able to ensure your boat meets necessary safety standards through a voluntary pre-check program offered by RCMP volunteers.

The Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP Marine Unit will start a voluntary vessel safety pre-check at the Paddlewheel Park boat launch on July 11.

The aim is to help speed up checks on the water and will see trained volunteers complete a pre-launch inspection of the items required under the Canada Shipping Act and the regulations governing pleasure craft.

Once a check is completed the operator will be given a document that can be shown if stopped by RCMP patrolling the water.

Some of the fines under the Act include $250 for failure to have the required pleasure craft license on board and $200 for operating a vessel with safety equipment not in good working order or not readily accessible and available for immediate use.

RCMP are also reminding boaters to have a spotter while towing anyone behind the boat and to not consume liquor while operating their boat.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.