A lot of cottagers are getting their boats in the water for the first time this weekend.
The Canadian Safe Boating Council says there are a number of things you need to remember when getting ready to head out on the water.
Kevin Tourdiffe is the Regional Manager for the Life Saving Society and says the most important item to remember is your life jacket.
Tourdiffe stresses everyone on board should be wearing those life jackets.
He also suggests to be familiar with your boat and the waterway that you are in. Tourdiffe strongly recommends to never venture out on the water alone.
Tourdiffe adds, while failing to wear a life jacket is the leading cause of drowning, impaired operation of a vessel is the next leading cause of death on the water.
Boating Safety Week begins Saturday and runs until May 26th.
There has already been one high profile boating fatality this month. Last Friday, the former Chief of the Kenora Police Service Dan Jorgensen was killed in a kayaking incident in Whiteshell Provincial Park.