Calgary Police Service Marine Unit cracking down on river users

WATCH ABOVE: Hot weather has returned to Calgary, which means many people will head to the rivers. Emergency responders are hoping Calgarians stay safe. Jill Croteau reports.

CALGARY – As the Heritage Day long weekend approaches, police and fire officials are reminding Calgarians to act responsibly on the water, for their own safety.

The Calgary Police Service Marine Unit and bylaw officers will be patrolling the Elbow River, the Bow River and park areas during one of the busiest weekends of the year for river recreation.

“We’ve found that some people don’t realize they need to wear a life jacket every time they are boating or rafting,” said Calgary Fire Department Chief Steve Dongworth. “There are areas of our rivers, particularly the Elbow River, which are shallow, and you may have perfect weather conditions, however, things can change so quickly on the water.”

READ MORE: 5 water safety tips that could save your life

So far this year, the Marine Unit has handed out 640 warnings to people who were either not wearing life jackets, or were drinking. The Calgary Fire Department has also performed 24 water rescues this year and have talked to hundreds of rafters about safety.

“Our biggest concern is that someone is going to be seriously injured, or killed, as a result of an unfortunate accident combined with alcohol impairment and improper use of a life jacket,” says Insp. Tom Hanson, Calgary Police Service District 1. “People’s lives can be forever changed in the blink of an eye.”

READ MORE: ‘I would’ve been dead’ – Boating safety tips and fines you should know

Fines include the following:

• Failing to wear a life jacket or personal flotation device – mandatory court appearance
• Consuming liquor in public – $115
• Littering on, into or under water – $115
• Littering in a park – $500
• Littering from a vehicle – $750
• Disposing of burning litter – $1,000
• Urinating or defecating in public – $300

For more information on water safety, you can visit the city site here.

READ MORE: Preventing child drownings: tips to keep your child safe