Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services (FWES) has enhanced their patrols to crack down impaired boating in key areas, including on lakes and rivers in and around Wetaskiwin, Ponoka and Camrose.
The new pilot program, which began on May 16 and will run until Sept. 1, aims to enhance safety on lakes and rivers by targeting potentially impaired boaters. The program will additionally operate in Spruce Grove and Red Deer.
Until the end of peak boating season, FWES officers will enhance their patrols in the identified areas, administering breath tests with Approved Screening Devices when there is a reasonable suspicious that a boat operator has consumed alcohol.
If the officer determines the operator is impaired, they will be arrested for further processing and could face criminal charges.
"Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs places everyone at risk and is one of the leading factors in recreational boating deaths in Alberta," stated a press release.
According to the Lifesaving Society and the Drowning Research Centre Canada, 50 per cent of boating-related water fatalities in Alberta involve alcohol consumption.
“Alberta families have a right to enjoy our beautiful summers safely," said Mike Ellis, minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services.
"Impaired boating has no place on Alberta’s waterways. Full stop. Operating a boat while impaired is just as dangerous and illegal as driving a car impaired. I want to commend our fish and wildlife officers for taking concrete steps to prevent accidents and keep Albertans safe.”
This initiative supports the ongoing work and responsibilities of FWES to promote safety on Alberta’s waterways through education and enforcement, according to the province.
During routine patrols where fish and wildlife officers monitor for compliance with fishing regulations, they will also check for valid boating licences and compliance with safety equipment requirements, monitor speed and wake zones, and educate Albertans on responsible boating practices.
“Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services is committed to ensuring the safety of Albertans – both on land and on our waterways," said Rob Lamont, deputy chief of Alberta FWES.
"This new pilot program provides officers with an essential tool to better detect those suspected of boating while impaired and enhances our ability to ensure a safe and enjoyable boating season for everyone.”
In Canada, operating a boat under the influence of alcohol and drugs is a punishable offence. Impaired operation laws are the same for operating a boat as they are for a vehicle on a highway.
Operators are not permitted to have a blood alcohol concentration that is equal to or exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.
In Alberta, the Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Act and regulations restrict the consumption and transportation of alcohol or cannabis in vessels.
Penalties for operating a boat while impaired may include suspension of driver’s licence, fines, prohibition from operating a boat, and possible imprisonment.
possible prison terms.
