THUNDER BAY – Boating season is starting. Thunder Bay being on Lake Superior and across Northwestern Ontario there is fairly easy access across Canada / United States border.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police would like to remind you to be safe and stay safe on our waterways.
RCMP Marine Security Enforcement Team (MSET) and Shiprider will once again be patrolling Ontario waterways during the entire 2017 boating season and they want your help!
You can make a difference to help keep our border and waterways safe. If you SEE or HEAR something suspicious REPORT IT.
We value your knowledge and familiarity with your area and are counting on you to help. If something seems odd or out of the ordinary, do your part to help keep our communities safe by notifying the authorities.
If you notice suspicious behaviour, take note of details, such as:
- Time, date and location of occurrence (GPS co-ordinates if available)
- Nature of activities you observed
- Descriptions of individuals, vehicles, vessels or aircraft: licence number, vessel identification number, aircraft tail number
- Any visible markings
Examples of suspicious activities along the border:
- Unusual activity on roads or trails that have access to the border
- Cars, trucks, ATVs, motorcycles, taxis, vehicles with an out of province licence, and/or rental vehicles
- Groups or individuals with sophisticated radio equipment, such as scanners or portable VHF radios
- Groups or individuals who are dressed improperly for the weather or terrain
- Suspicious groups or individuals seeking directions or rides to and from the border
- Evidence of an individual(s) having trespassed on your property near the border
- Footprints, garbage, clothing, etc.
Boating safety is everyone’s responsibility. Each year many people are needlessly killed or injured as a result of marine incidents. MSET and Shiprider will be on watch for unsafe boating practices and criminal activity on the waterways in Ontario. The teams will also be patrolling the Canada/U.S. border ensuring that the public and commerce are able to safely move about the waterways.
“With the warm weather finally upon us we can now expect to see many folks out enjoying recreational boating on our waterways, so please as a reminder always be cautious, remember to wear your life jacket, don’t drink & boat, and always be aware the water temperatures are still very cold.” stated Sgt Ian McNeill, RCMP Marine Coordinator for Ontario.
To make a report call: Your local police or RCMP Coastal Watch at 1-800-387-0020.
To report an emergency along the border: Call 911 or call your local police.
