Toronto Police Service Marine Unit

04/28/2026

Day 2 of our Joint Law Enforcement Coxswain Marine Course at the Toronto Police Marine Unit focused on core operational training including vessel familiarization, man overboard response, and cold-water survival skills. Proud to train train on Lake Ontario, in Toronto, and with our marine partners from Durham, Peel, Halton, and Hamilton Police Marine Units.

We were also joined by JRCC/SAR Techs, alongside our Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Coast Guard partners, supporting coordinated search and rescue and law-enforcement operations across Ontario’s waterways.

Training continues across Toronto and the GTA’s diverse marine environments, including Lake Ontario, Toronto Port Authority, rivers, creeks, and inland waterways.

Strong partnerships. Shared mission. Safer waterways.
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www.TPS.ca/water

LawEnforcement SearchAndRescue

04/15/2026

🚨Public Safety Advisory – Cold Water & Early Season Boating Awareness 🛟. Last night, the Toronto Police Marine Unit responded within minutes to a 911 call for a person in distress in deep water south of Cherry Beach.

A lone individual was in a small inflatable (pool) dinghy that began to deflate and rapidly take on water. The vessel was not equipped with required safety equipment, including a lifejacket, paddles, or even a means of communication. A member of the public heard the distress and immediately called 911.

Marine Unit officers quickly located the individual and pulled the him from the water before tragedy. The individual showed signs of cold water shock but was brought aboard safely. No injuries were reported.

Following the rescue, the individual was educated on safety equipment requirements under the Canada Shipping Act and enforcement action was taken.

As boating season begins, this incident is a reminder—supported by Transport Canada Office of Safe Boating and Canadian Safe Boating Council—that Lake Ontario remains dangerously cold even as air temperatures rise.

In Canada, required safety equipment depends on vessel type and length. It must be carried on board, in good condition, and immediately accessible in an emergency.

Approximately 90% of recreational boating drownings involve individuals not wearing a lifejacket. Even when carried on board, cold water, wind, and waves can make it impossible to access and properly put it on in time.

Lifejackets and PFDs are approved for carriage, but lifejackets provide a higher level of protection. Life cushions are not approved for recreational vessels.

Review approved equipment at www.tc.gc.ca and boating requirements at www.boatingsafety.gc.ca.

Respect the water. Know the conditions. Be properly equipped every time.

Cold water does not give second chances. www.TPS.ca/water

04/15/2026

The Toronto Police Service Marine Unit is reminding the public to stay back and stay safe around rivers and waterways this week. With warming temperatures, heavy rain, and gusty winds, water levels can rise quickly—creating fast currents, unstable banks, and hidden hazards.

Rivers like the Humber River and Don River can become especially dangerous during and after storms. Strong undercurrents, slippery edges, and rapidly changing conditions increase the risk of falling in or being swept away. Extra caution is also required near dams, where powerful backwash currents can trap and hold a person underwater.

No activity near hazardous water is worth the risk. Keep a safe distance from the water’s edge.

The Marine Unit provides enforcement and emergency response across a broad operational area, including Lake Ontario from Pickering through to the Peel Region and extending to the Canada–U.S. border, as well as all waterways within the City of Toronto. This includes rivers, creeks, ponds, stormwater systems, and reservoirs. The unit delivers immediate response to all marine emergencies and carries out a range of specialized core functions.

If you are heading out on the water, make sure your vessel is prepared with all required safety equipment, including lifejackets for everyone onboard. Share your plan, carry a reliable way to call for help, and monitor weather conditions closely. Cold water and fast-moving water significantly increase the risk of serious injury or drowning—wearing a lifejacket is strongly recommended at all times.

Stay safe. www.TPS.ca/water

www.tc.gc.ca
www.tc.gc.ca/boatingsafety
www.csbc.ca

Toronto HumberRiver DonRiver LakeOntario TransportCanada OfficeOfSafeBoating CanadianSafeBoatingCouncil

04/14/2026

https://tps.to/65668

Corporate Communications responds to all Media Requests and produces News Releases, Factsheets, Feature Stories and Videos as well as maintains tps.ca

04/05/2026

Over the weekend, Toronto Police Service Marine Unit responded to a Mayday Call in Whitby when no local units were available - Overturned laser sailing vessel reported by JRCC Trenton with one person in the water. Mayday answered immediately by TPS Marine Unit. Thankfully, the person was returned safely to shore prior to our arrival. LIFEJACKETS SAVE LIVES 🛟 TPS MU available 24/7 ALL YEAR-ROUND - Be safe on the water -Safety tips

04/02/2026

The Toronto Police Marine Unit is out on the water all year round — training hard and maintaining the specialized skills needed to keep our waterways safe.

As part of the Toronto Police Service’s specialized emergency response, search and rescue remains a key part of what we do. Our officers continuously train and work alongside partner agencies to stay ready for anything.

We’re committed to law enforcement, as well as safety and education — sharing important information with the public all year long.

As we head into boating season, we’re wishing everyone a safe start on the water. Please take safety precautions every time you head out.

We’ll be out in full capacity and looking forward to kicking off Boating Safety Awareness Week on May 14.

Stay safe. Stay prepared. See you on the water. 🚤 www.TPS.ca/water For more boat safety www.csbc.ca and betterboater.ca

03/19/2026

Great day connecting with the community! 🚤🛟⚓️🚨

The Toronto Police Marine Unit was proud to be on site with TPS Recruiting yesterday at the University of Guelph-Humber in Etobicoke, alongside many of our partners within the Toronto Police Service, including several specialized emergency response units and our internal support networks.

Our team had the opportunity to speak with students across various programs, share insights, and highlight career opportunities within policing.

We’re looking forward to the next recruitment fair this spring!

Follow for more information and to register for upcoming sessions.
For inquiries: [email protected]. www.TPS.ca/water.

01/17/2026

🚤 68th Toronto International Boat Show 🚤

Come visit the Toronto Police Marine Unit booth and check out one of our fast-response vessels — our RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) from the TPS Marine Unit fleet. We are happy to be on site again with our partners at OPP Marine Unit

We’ll be on site for the next 10 days at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place. Come see us and speak with officers on site — we’re happy to answer questions about who we are, what we do, and water and boating safety regulations across Toronto’s waterways, including PortsToronto where the Marine Unit is based.

Stop by, say hello, and learn how we help keep everyone safe on the water.

For more info about the boat show, visit 
For Toronto Police Marine Unit water safety info, visit www.TPS.ca/water
Check out  and  for water and boating safety tips

📍 Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place
⚓ Toronto Police Marine Unit




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12/20/2025

🚨 Marine Safety Reminder 🚨

At Humber Bay West Park, a male attempted to throttle a Sea-Doo across the ice to reach open water. The Sea-Doo became stuck on the ice, requiring the Toronto Police Marine Unit to respond.

Thankfully, the operator was wearing a life jacket, did not fall through the ice, and was safely escorted off the ice. The Sea-Doo was safely recovered.

⚠️🛟Reminder: Ice conditions are unpredictable. Early ice has not fully bonded. The ice may look solid, NO ICE ever safe -especially early in the season. Poor decisions on the ice can have serious consequences. If you choose to go, go prepared, know how to reduce the risk; for more information on cold water awareness, visit the CSBC website @ www.csbc.ca www.TPS.ca/water

12/17/2025

🚨 Toronto Police Marine Unit – Safety Alert 🚨
Boat Launch Ramps | Toronto Harbour

The Toronto Police Marine Unit is reminding the public to stay off the ice.

A male was recently fortunate to escape without injury or falling through the ice at this location. While some ice may appear solid, there is no safe ice on Toronto Harbour. The limited ice currently present is expected to rapidly deteriorate with above-freezing temperatures over the next few days.

Please use extreme caution around the water’s edge and boat launch ramps. Wet, icy, and sloped surfaces increase the risk of slipping into cold water. Do not walk, drive, or slide vehicles down launch ramps toward the lake.

These incidents occur multiple times each year. Tragically, a fatality occurred at this location last year at Ashbridge’s Bay Boat Launch.

Cold water immersion can be deadly within minutes.
Stay back. Stay dry. Stay off the ice.
www.tps.ca/water

12/15/2025

🎄❄️ Happy Holidays from the Marine Unit ❄️🎄

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Please be extra careful around the water — shoreline edges are icy, cold water is extremely dangerous, and there is NO SAFE ICE on Toronto Harbour.
👉 Always wear your life jacket, especially around cold water.

Thank you to our Marine Unit response teams, Marine Auxiliary members, and our partners at the National Yacht Club and Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club for helping transport Santa to the kids’ Christmas parties. 🎅🚤

For cold water and ice safety tips, visit the Life Saving Society and csbc.ca.

Stay safe and enjoy the season. www.TPS.ca/water

12/05/2025

⚠️ ICE SAFETY ALERT – TORONTO WATERWAYS ⚠️
Toronto Police Marine Unit

Recent cold weather has caused a flash freeze around parts of Lake Ontario, rivers, and protected waterways. Thin ice is forming — but it is NOT safe to walk or skate on.

In the last two weeks, Marine Unit officers, Toronto Fire Marine, and Toronto Paramedic Services have rescued four people who fell through the ice into cold water. Thankfully, everyone survived without serious injuries.

If you’re near frozen ponds, rivers, or any freshwater areas:
❄️ Stay off the ice
🦺 Always wear a life jacket — it can keep you afloat if the ice breaks
🌬️ Remember the 1-10-1 principle if you fall in:
• 1 minute to control your breathing
• 10 minutes of meaningful movement before cold incapacitation
• 1 hour before unconsciousness from hypothermia. More info —> and
The lake is colder and more dangerous than it looks.
Stay alert, stay safe, and look out for each other along Toronto’s waterfront.

— Toronto Police Marine Unit
Available 24/7 when seconds matter.
www.TPS.ca/water