The ice is off most area lakes, and boaters are taken advantage of an early season.

The Ontario Provincial Police want to make sure this boating season is a safe one.

Members of the OPP Marine Unit will be at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Business Expo this weekend.

Constable Rob Chivers (SHIVERS)-Wilson says they will be there to answer any questions related to boat safety.

“If you have questions, please approach us. That’s the whole point that we’re there is outreach to the public and answer field these questions. We can kind of take you through, show you the regulations, what’s required,” says Chivers-Wilson

Boaters can also bring down their boats to the Fort Frances Curling Club and police check to ensure they have all of the required safety gear.

If you are unable to do so, Chivers-Wilson recommends boaters take that extra time at home before they put their boat in the water.

“So things like life jackets and all the different safety equipment that you need in a specific pleasure craft. That differs from a sea do or if you’re in a kayak. Things change a little bit. So just really knowing those regulations, knowing what’s required in your pleasure craft and making sure you have all that proper equipment on board.”

The marine unit has already been out on the lake and Rainy River, encountering a number of boaters.

“Our number one goal always is education, making sure people know what is required. Most of these regulations have been around for a long time now. It should be embedded into people that you need to have life jackets. So we try to do our best at educating and helping out and being reasonable, but we do have to do our jobs out there.”

Information on what is required on a boat or other water vessel can also be obtained by going to Transport Canada’s website

OPP will be at the Business Expo from 4-8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.