The arrival of Victoria Day weekend has resulted in more people heading out on the water to enjoy the warm weather.
It also marked the beginning of Safe Boating Awareness Week, with Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) urging people not to ditch the life jackets and flotation devices.
The OPP said that out of the 249 people who died in the marine incidents it investigated between 2016 and 2025, 100 were using non-motorized watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.
83 per cent of those who died were not wearing some kind of flotation device.
"With capsized vessels and falling overboard being the leading causes in the majority of the fatalities, the number one takeaway for boaters and paddlers should be that the proper use of a lifejacket or PFD gives you your best chance of surviving a marine incident," read a release from the OPP.
The OPP's Marine Unit will have additional patrols on the water for the rest of this weekend and throughout the coming week. It is urging boaters and paddlers to wear their flotation devices.
Police have also recommended that boaters make sure that their vessels are fully equipped and check the weather conditions before setting out.
The complete Safe Boating Guide from Transport Canada is available online.
