The Lifesaving Society of Manitoba is urging residents to boat sober this summer.

According to the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC), in nearly 64 percent of boating deaths, alcohol was detected or suspected, well above the 36 percent in Canada and 23 percent of victims were above the legal limit. With the legalization of recreational marijuana and impairment with prescription narcotics, the CSBC says they fear fatality statistics could grow significantly.

"We want to ensure that every trip is a round trip, with boaters and their passengers coming back home safely," Manitoba Watersmart Coordinator Dr. Christopher Love says. "Manitoba exceeds the average, and not in a good way, when it comes to boating injuries and fatalities."

The effects of sunshine and a boat’s rocking motion increase the effects of alcohol and drugs, says a CSBC media release.

The reminder coincides with the North American Safe Boating Awareness Week taking place across Canada from May 18-24.

Five key messages are directed towards the most common boating related accidents:

-Wear Your Lifejacket
-Boat Sober
-Take a Boating Course
-Be Prepared
-Be Aware of the Risks of Cold Water Immersion

The highest frequency of drowning is among 20-to-24 year olds and 55-to-59 year olds. Across Canada 84 percent were not wearing a lifejacket, while in Manitoba 95 percent of fatalities were not wearing a lifejacket.