New RCMP boat to patrol the waterways 0
By Angela Brown, Portage Daily Graphic
The Portage la Prairie RCMP are proud to have a new boat to add to their fleet. The boat is seen at the detachment in Portage on Tuesday, and will be making its way to start patrols in the area waterways soon. (Angela Brown, Portage Daily Graphic)
Portage la Prairie and area residents who are spending time near water this summer will soon notice a different sight emerging on the horizon -- the RCMP's new patrol boat.
The local RCMP have already taken the craft out and will be devoting more time monitoring the waterways in the future. The 18-foot ‘Outlaw’ aluminum craft arrived at the detachment about three weeks ago.
"We just recently got a new boat," said Corp. Darcy Turko, when he visited Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie council Tuesday. "We have had (it) in the water a couple of times now. We are planning on doing more patrols, especially on the weekend. That is mostly when the traffic is. We are looking at open alcohol and making sure everyone is in compliance and following the rules."
Turko said the RCMP are especially watching out for people who are on the water with their own vessel and have open alcohol.
"We are going to start going out Fridays and Saturday nights," he said. "That is when most of the traffic is. (We'll) try to make it a routine patrol -- in the Jackson Lake area, the Whitemud, Lake Manitoba and the Assiniboine as well."
Both the operator and passengers on any watercraft must not have open liquor in their possession. They can be fined if they are found to be in violation of the law.
Water training
Turko said RCMP officers need to know how to swim as part of their training and will be able to use the patrol boat.
"We have members trained and we are going to use (the patrol boat)," he said. "We want people to know we are going to be out there, and we will start enforcing (the law)."
Besides looking for open alcohol, the RCMP will also be keeping an eye open for people out on the water who are fishing without a licence. Residents also need to have a proper boating operator’s card in their possession.
The RCMP will be sure to check to see if boats on the area lakes and rivers have their proper equipment and flares in case of emergency.
The officer said it’s important for people to wear their lifejackets.
“If they are missing lifejackets, it’s a no brainer they are going to get charged,” said Turko. “The fines are usually $250 to $300, and they go up from there.”
angela.brown@sunmedia.ca
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