You’ll notice a heightened OPP presence on area waterways this long weekend.

OPP marine units are assigned to areas of high activity and are equipped to provide an array of police services to boaters and cottagers.

Police are reminding boaters that life jackets are essential equipment, pointing out that stats reveal in about 80% of marine fatalities, the person who died was not wearing a life jacket.

Police also say alcohol and boating is a lethal combination, pointing out that sun, wind, motion and fatigue dull the senses and alcohol intensifies these effects, and will impair the ability to react quickly when needed.

They say boating responsibly means leaving alcoholic beverages back at the cottage.

Filed under: boating-safety, opp