It's that time of year again when boating enthusiasts are getting eager to hit the water and either ride a wave, catch a fish, or even just enjoy a day out on the water. A director with the Canadian Safe Boating Council says it's important to be safe while on the water this summer.

Every year about 100 people in the country lose their lives to boating-related incidents, according to Ian Gilson.

"Number one, we need to have people wear their life jackets. We find that a lot of people have their life jackets on board, but they are just not wearing them," said Gilson. "Often times a sudden wake from another boat or a rogue wave or something can toss them overboard. If they aren't wearing them the wind and waves can carry the boat further and further away from the person in the water and they can succumb to drowning."

Gilson stated each boat is different as to what the required safety items needed on board. He stated it's important for each boater to know what is needed on their specific boat in terms of safety equipment before they set sail. He encouraged everyone to go above and beyond the requirements to ensure your safety.

In addition to the equipment you need to have on board, it's important to get your boat tuned up and ready to go for the upcoming boating season. This is a time for someone to check all the controls, cables, throttle and shift operation, as well as fuel lines, injection oil level, and so much more, to ensure your boating experience is the best and safest it can be.

Each person who wishes to drive the boat needs to obtain their own Operator Capacity Card, adding the more you know about boating the more enjoyable and safe your experience is going to be.

According to Gilson roughly forty percent of the accidents each year can be directly related to alcohol, which is why he stated alcohol and boating don't mix.

"People don't realize that the wind, waves, and general rocking motion of a boat tend to increase the intoxicating effects of alcohol. It doesn't take much to not be able to operate their boats in a competent and alert matter," said Gilson. "Often times when they aren't doing so, that's when trouble creeps into the equation."

Meanwhile, fishing season in our province opens tomorrow.