Local police are teaming up with the Canadian Safe Boating Council for Operation Dry Water this long weekend.
The Canadian Safe Boating Council, OPP and Woodstock Police are reminding boaters to stay sober on the water this long weekend.
Police will be out in full force on the waterways this weekend with Operation Dry Water. Director of the Safe Canadian Boating council Ian Gilson explains why they are really hammering home this message right now.
"Statistics show that relatively speaking that 40 percent of boating related fatalities involve alcohol in one way or the other and that is just way to high. It's like we are fighting a cultural battle, it's deeply engrained in our culture that kicking back, enjoying the water, just isn't complete without having alcohol in one way or another out there with you. It's a really dangerous mix because the wind, the waves and the rocking motion while you are out there just really increases the intoxicating factor associated with alcohol and before you know it, people are taking risks that they wouldn't normally take."
Gilson says Operation Dry Water focuses on the potential risks of impaired boating and opportunities to discourage it.
Being charged with Impaired Operation of a Vessel carries the same consequences as Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

Oxford OPP Lay Charges After Warrant Execution
Camping Season is Open at Pittock
Application Window Open for Oxford County Grants Program
PJHL Preview - Schmalz Cup Final
Oxford Winds Celebrates 30 Years
Nomination Period Opens for Municipal Election
Theft in Thamesford is Under Investigation
Winning Lotto 6/49 Ticket Sold in Oxford
Thamesford Lions Club Celebrates 65 Years
Yellow Frost Advisory Issued for Oxford
News Poll: Schmalz Cup 2026
Realtors Care Food Drive Returns Next Week
PJHL Playoff Recap - April 29th
Charges Laid After Altercation in Woodstock
New Partnership Protects Land in Oxford
Bomb Threat Unfounded in Woodstock
Big Projects Announced for TVDSB
Tick Season Reminders from Southwestern Public Health
PJHL Playoff Recap - April 28th
Highway Construction Approaching in Burgessville