'The numbers are scary': Operation Dry Water aims to curb impaired boating in Manitoba

An annual campaign aims to discourage impaired boating in Manitoba over the upcoming August long weekend and is highlighting concerning statisticsto get its message across.

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The Lifesaving Society's Manitoba branch, along with the Canadian Safe Boating Council and Winnipeg police, kicked off this year's Operation Dry Water campaign on Wednesday.

"On average, Manitoba sees more drowning deaths a year than people who die from impaired driving," saidKevin Tordiffe, the Lifesaving Society's operations manager.

"Alcohol contributes to boating fatalities at more than threetimes the rate it does for driving fatalities in Manitoba."

Tordiffe said drinking while operatinga boat accounts for 70 per cent of boating fatalities in Manitoba, while the national average sits far lower at 40 per cent.

"It is huge," he said.

"The numbers are scary," added Winnipeg police Const. Rob Carver.

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Tordiffe said the statistics presented Wednesday are based on four different Manitoba and Canadian reports on drowning and boating fatalities.

In 2013, the Canadian Safe Boating Council launched a campaign to make the first weekend in August Operation Dry Water.

The campaign aims to discouragedrinking and boating by focusing on its potential risks.

The group also notes that whether a boat is motorized or not, a person can be charged with impaired operation of a vessel under the Criminal Code of Canada if their blood alcohol level exceeds the .08 threshold.