Huronia West Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are again reminding beachgoers that inflatable boats still count as boats and those using them need life jackets.
Today, July 17, the local OPP unit posted a Tweet stating there was "another inflatable rescue," this time of two teens who were on an inflatable boat and blown far away from shore.
Const. Lindsay Griffin of the Huronia West OPP confirmed the rescue took place in Georgian Bay, closer to Collingwood than Wasaga Beach.
According to OPP the 15 and 13-year-old were returned safely to shore by the OPP's marine unit. Police say there was only one lifejacket inside the inflatable boat.
Another Inflatable Rescue. The #HurWOPP Marine Unit rescue a 15 and 13 year old caught in an offshore wind. Both children returned safely to shore. The OPP is urging parents to watch their children & wear a lifejacket. Only 1 lifejacket was on the inflatable. @LifesavingON ^lg pic.twitter.com/NTgXYNp7kz
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) July 17, 2023
On July 10, the Huronia West OPP reported its marine unit was "extremely busy rescuing children on inflatables all day." Huronia West OPP covers Wasaga Beach and up to the border of Collingwood, plus Clearview and Springwater.
OPP are also currently participating in the Livesaving Society of Ontario's annual drowning prevention awareness week campaign. The main message is that life jackets save lives.
