North Okanagan

Over the past week, RCMP in the North Okanagan have been busy ticketing and, in some cases, removing boats from Okanagan lakes.

Spokesman Gord Molendyk says the RCMP boat has been patrolling Okanagan, Kal, Wood, Mara and Mabel lakes.

Photo: Grant Scott

The RCMP has stepped up its water safety campaign.

Since last weekend, Molendyk says police have checked about 120 boats.

Molendyk says charges have been laid for several infractions including:

• No spotter while towing
• Operating with no Competency Card on board
• No vessel licence
• Insufficient approved life jackets on board

A number of boats were also removed from area lakes for equipment violations.

"They (officers) want to remind boat operators that safety should be your number one priority when you are out on the water," says Molendyk.

He also says it is an offence for Paddleboarders to be out on the lake without a life jacket on board.

"Several times they have encountered a Paddleboarder in the middle of a lake with no life jacket. They want everyone to have a safe boating season in our area."

Molendyk says officers also issued 17 warning tickets for various infractions including not having a working waterproof flashlight.

Two tickets were also written for consumption of liquor in a public place on Kal Beach.

"During their patrols of Okanagan Lake, they rescued a stranded boat with five people on board including an infant."

Molendyk wants to remind everyone that police are on the lake to promote boating safety, not just to write tickets.

The RCMP patrol boat will be on local lakes regularly throughout the summer.