Cop Corner: RCMP also track the lake

RCMP members can receive various training courses throughout their career.

For example the more common training courses include radar, interviewing techniques, an instrument commonly known as a roadside breathalyzer, and the conducted energy weapon commonly known as a taser.

One training course that is not as common is called the Inland Water Transport training where members are taught the ins and outs of operating a vessel, pulling over other vessels and enforcing the laws on the lakes across Alberta.

Bonnyville Detachment is lucky enough to have its own vessel and a few trained operators.  You may have seen it out on the water over the summer on Moose Lake or Wolf Lake for example.

Most vessel operators are pleasantly surprised to see an RCMP boat out on the water and welcome an educational conversation about the safety laws that exist for example having safety equipment and proper number of life jackets on board.

Additionally one important aspect of having your HIN # affixed to your boat is to help the RCMP locate it should it ever be stolen.

And of course, much like when operating a motor vehicle, alcohol consumption is not permitted on a vessel either.

Throughout the summer patrols the Bonnyville RCMP made contact with roughly 75 vessels and had positive interactions with nearly all of them.

Plenty of verbal warnings were issued but there were also several liquor tickets and one Criminal Code charge laid to a vessel operator who had 11 occupants on board his boats and zero life jackets.  There was also alcohol consumption taking place on that same boat which increased the danger of the situation even more.

The Bonnyville RCMP boat has also been called into action for calls of missing boaters and capsized vessels on the water.

So the next time you’re out enjoying some time on the lake, don’t be surprised if you see the RCMP boat out making patrols and don’t hesitate to wave and say hi.