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Manitoba Drowning Report 2001

A review of Manitoba’s water-related fatalities in 1999

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Quick Facts and Stats

The following statistics were compiled from aquatic fatalities in 1999. This information is provided to emphasize high-risk aquatic activities and to encourage safe behaviour.

  • 18 male, 7 female, 1 unknown/missing
  • 8 of the fatalities involved alcohol
  • ALL were preventable
  • All 26 were unsupervised by lifeguards
  • 13 occurred during the summer months (June-September)
  • 15 were not wearing a lifejacket or PFD
  • Victims' age breakdown:
     
    Under 42
    Between 5-171
    Between 18-247
    Between 25-342
    Between 35-497
    Between 50-645
    65+2
  • Activities at time of drowning:
     
    Aquatic2
    Bathing1
    Boating:(11 total)
      Powerboat
    Canoe
    Sailboat
    		6
    2
    3
    Snowmobiling4
    Fell through ice3
    Fell from shoreline1
    Fell from pooldeck1
    Unknown3

     

    Pleasure Craft Operator Competency

    For years, concerned Canadians have pushed for mandatory boater education to reduce the 200 lives lost and estimated 6,000 boating incidents on Canadian waterways annually. Until now, anybody of any age could operate any type of boat with no training or education of any kind. By the end of the 10-year phase-in (from 1999 to 2009), all Canadian recreational boaters will require a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCO card) to drive a boat powered by a motor.

     
    AgeCraftNeed PCO card
    Born after March 31, 1983Any powered boatNow
    Any agePowered boat under 4mSeptember 2002
    Any ageAny powered boatSeptember 2009

    For a list of Boat Operator Accredited Training (B.O.A.T.) courses call the Lifesaving Society – Manitoba Branch at (204) 956-2124.