OPP, Parks Canada conducts marine safety drills in local waters

Safety on the waters is enforced by the OPP and Monday was a training day to ensure those waters are as safe as possible.

As OPP Southern Georgian Bay Detachment Sergeant Christina Schroeder explained, members of the OPP Marine Unit along with Parks Canada personnel from the Georgian Bay Islands National Park participated in training exercises in the waters around Midland Harbour.

“Members are on the water every day — we have a full-time marine unit — but today is a training day,” Schroeder said. “They will be there all day working on scenarios based on search and rescue.

“They’re always on the lookout for impaired operations, to make sure everyone’s wearing a life jacket and other statute violations. However, this (training) is also a primary component of their function.”

Schroeder said the units will rotate through four separate exercises in the region, some taking place near Beausoleil Island and the Giant’s Tomb.

“We’re lucky enough to have a nice, sunny day, but they’re out there in the worst weather, and that’s often when things go wrong, so they have to have this solid base training of experience,” noted Schroeder. .

Members of the Midland Penetanguishene Fire Department were also present, standing on the harbor dock and carrying enough technology to safely control their two-foot drone.

Firefighter 1st Class Tim Brummelhuis explained that for OPP qualification exercises, he and fellow firefighter 1st Class Tom Collins were asked to film because the drone was capable of tracking boats.

“We have a rescue drone here with a camera,” Brummelhuis said. “It has three different attachments – a dropper, a speaker, a flashlight – and then an infrared zoom camera and all the capabilities.

“In the winter, we use it a lot for rescues and to see what’s out there before we actually go on the ice to make sure we’re really going in the right direction. We can also talk to them or throw them a lifesaver if they need it,” added Brummelhuis.

As the craft left the harbor, the fire department’s drone kept pace high above.

Schroeder also said that safety on the water depended on the public enjoying time on their vessels.

“When our officers are on patrol and flag down a boat,” Schroeder said, “cooperate, slow down and stop, be available to answer the officers’ questions.

“Depending on the size of the boats, they can board and will look for offenses such as alcohol on board, liquor – and most importantly a life jacket for every person on board.”

The OPP reminds the public that if a suspected impaired driver is spotted, please dial 911 or contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.