Water safety

Pleasure craft are part of the daily life of police officers during the summer months. Since the southern part of the territory covered by the Lac des Deux-Montagnes Police Board lies along the shores of Lake of Two Mountains, one of the Board’s mandates is to ensure compliance with laws on navigable waterways within its jurisdiction. To this end, a police watercraft patrols the lake during the summer. The nautical squad consists of two police officers whose key mandate is to ensure that all watercraft have the required safety equipment and that activities on the lake are carried out safely.

Most of the pleasure craft inspected on the lake are 6, 9, 12 and 24 meters in length as well as personal watercraft such as jet-skis and seadoos. For a complete guide on the safe and legal operation of a pleasure craft, we refer you to the Safe Boating Guide available on the Transport Canada website.

SAFETY ON THE LAKE

6M watercraft
9M watercraft
12M watercraft
24M watercraft
Personal watercraft
Compulsory equipment
Approved lifejacket of appropriate size
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Buoyant heaving line at least 15M long
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Buoyant heaving line at least 15M long OR approved lifebuoy attached to a 15M heaving line
Yes
Approved lifebuoy attached to a 15M heaving line
Yes
Yes
Reboarding device (if the reboarding height exceeds 0.5M)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Manual propelling device or anchor with 15M rope, cable or chain
Yes
Yes
Yes
Anchor with rope, cable or chain
30m
Bailer or manual pump with appropriate hose
Yes
Yes
Yes
Manual pump with appropriate hose OR bilge pumping installation
Yes
Bilge pumping installation
Yes
Fire extinguisher
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Axe
Yes
2 10-litre pails
Yes
Watertight flashlight OR pyrotechnic distress flares
Yes
Yes
Watertight flashlight AND pyrotechnic distress flares
Yes
Yes
Yes
Pyrotechnic distress flares
6
12
12
Sound signaling device
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Approved lifejacket of appropriate size

Buoyant heaving line at least 15M long

Reboarding device (if the reboarding height exceeds 0.5M)

Manual propelling device or anchor with 15M rope, cable or chain

Bailer or manual pump with appropriate hose

Fire extinguisher

Watertight flashlight OR pyrotechnic distress flares

Sound signaling device

Approved lifejacket of appropriate size

Buoyant heaving line at least 15M long OR approved lifebuoy attached to a 15M heaving line

Reboarding device (if the reboarding height exceeds 0.5M)

Manual propelling device or anchor with 15M rope, cable or chain

Bailer or manual pump with appropriate hose

Fire extinguisher

Watertight flashlight AND pyrotechnic distress flares

Pyrotechnic distress flares (6)

Sound signaling device

Approved lifejacket of appropriate size

Buoyant heaving line at least 15M long

Approved lifebuoy attached to a 15M heaving line

Reboarding device (if the reboarding height exceeds 0.5M)

Anchor with rope, cable or chain (30m)

Manual pump with appropriate hose OR bilge pumping installation

Fire extinguisher

Watertight flashlight AND pyrotechnic distress flares 

Pyrotechnic distress flares (12)

Sound signaling device

Approved lifejacket of appropriate size

Buoyant heaving line at least 15M long

Approved lifebuoy attached to a 15M heaving line

Reboarding device (if the reboarding height exceeds 0.5M)

Bilge pumping installation

Fire extinguisher

Axe

2 10-litre pails

Watertight flashlight AND pyrotechnic distress flares

Pyrotechnic distress flares (12)

Sound signaling device

Approved lifejacket of appropriate size

Buoyant heaving line at least 15M long

Manual propelling device or anchor with 15M rope, cable or chain

Bailer or manual pump with appropriate hose

Fire extinguisher

Watertight flashlight OR pyrotechnic distress flares

Sound signaling device

LAWS EVEN ON NAVIGABLE WATERWAYS

The Criminal Code of Canada applies to Canada’s navigable waterways, notably as it relates to the consumption of alcohol and drugs. It is illegal to drive a watercraft while under the influence. Whether boating or driving on land, the consequences are the same: you face arrest and transportation to the police station for required tests involving a breathalyzer or evaluating officer, a 90-day suspension of your driver’s licence, and having your watercraft towed away.

Everyone has a duty to ensure that alcohol is consumed responsibly since, in addition to the legal ramifications, the risk of an accident on the water is increased and a fun day of boating can unfortunately come to a tragic end.

You’ve witnessed an offence?

Report it.

Complete our confidential online form.