PUGWASH - It's all about keeping the open waters safe.
Over the weekend, Cumberland RCMP officers spent more than a dozen hours on the water in Pugwash to make sure operators were complying with boating regulations.
Const. Dal Hutchinson is now certified to conduct patrols on the open water.
"We're checking to make sure each boat has enough PFDs (personal floatation devices) for everyone on the boat, their proper vessel documentation, and that the operators have their documentation," said Hutchinson.
"And we'll also be making sure no operators of vessels are impaired. That's an important one."
With former RCMP Const. Paul Calder and auxiliary member Stephen Rayworth on board, Hutchinson pulls the zodiac Hurricane away from the reserved spot at the yacht club's dock in the Pugwash Harbour.
Hutchinson is behind the wheel as the boat heads out of the harbour.
"We're going up this way because I'm not as familiar with the area," Hutchinson said, in reference to Calder's presence.
Heading under the bridge on the River Philip, Hutchinson watches to make sure the top of the zodiac doesn't scrape on the bottom of the bridge.
Although River Philip isn't equipped with speed limit signs such as the Tidnish River, Hutchinson explains that the speed limit can still be enforced.
"To some degree," he said, with Calder adding an officer won't know how fast someone is traveling unless they do have a radar system with them.
"If someone is going a lot faster than they should, we will tell them to slow down. It's common sense," said Hutchinson.
Although River Philip isn't equipped with speed limit signs such as the Tidnish River, Hutchinson explains that the speed limit can still be enforced.
"To some degree," he said, with Calder adding an officer won't know how fast someone is traveling unless they do have a radar system with them.
"If someone is going a lot faster than they should, we will tell them to slow down. It's common sense," said Hutchinson.
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provide funding the fisherman??....for what?? volunteer coast guard??...never heard of it $100,000 yr??...maybe if your posted in Resolute Bay. Come back with some valid comments. ty