Celebrating safe boating heroes

Guest post by Blair Eveleigh, senior associate editor.

I know it’s still cold and snowy out and summer seems a long way off. Still, it’s good to think about sunny times to help get through the dark, dreary days of winter. Here at Cottage Life, we’re finishing up our April issue and well on our way with the May issue, which will have a number of boating stories to whet your appetite for getting out on the water again. Also, the 2012 Toronto International Boat Show has just wrapped up. Part of the program at the show was the presentation of the Canadian Safe Boating Awards, which are handed out each year by the Canadian Safe Boating Council. One of my fellow editors here at the magazine, Liann Bobechko, who writes our Cottage Kids blog, was a judge for the awards. Here are the recipients, who all deserve a big round of applause:

• Rescue of the Year: The Hamilton Police Marine Unit of Hamilton, ON

• Marine Professional of the Year: Colin Hiscock of Transport Canada in Lewisporte, Nfld.

• Top Volunteer Dedicated to Safe Boating: Duff Dwyer of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) and Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (in photo at left)

• Special Recognition: Marty Tannahill of the Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association

• Ontario Power Generation Best Boating Safety Initiative: The Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories

• Safeguarding the Environment: Campion Marine of Kelowna, BC

• Marine Industry: “Rescue Streamer” Distress Signal

• Visible Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Wear in Advertising: The Lifesaving Society of Quebec

Go to the CSBC website to read up on the individual stories of the above award-winners.