One boater found out the hard way that there are speed limits on Okanagan Lake.
On July 11th at 1:45 p.m., a white "Cigarette" boat was seen speeding northbound under the gap at the west end of the Bennett Bridge. The posted Federal speed limit is 5knots or 10kph when going under bridges. It was estimated the violator was traveling at 4-5 times that speed when it was spotted by RCMP boat patrol members.
The violator was followed and her boat was stopped at the log boom at the west end of the lake, north of Kelowna.
The Operator was given a ticket for "Operating Vessel in an Unsafe Manner", which carries a fine of $575.
It is vital that boat operators obey speed signs where posted, and use extreme caution when boating in proximity to swimming areas, docks, non motorized water craft, and other hazards. There are no lanes of travel on a lake, boats can go any direction which makes it all the harder to navigate around other boaters, especially at higher speeds.
Police continue to urge watercraft operators to wear approved life jackets or personal flotation devices for their own safety.
