This past September, C-Tow was proud to participate in the Canadian Safe Boating Council’s 2025 Annual Symposium in Kingston, Ontario. The three-day event, themed “Solutions Through Partnerships: Charting a Course for Marine Safety,” brought together marine safety professionals, law enforcement, rescue coordinators, and industry leaders from across Canada and beyond.

Learning from the Best in Marine Safety

The symposium featured an impressive lineup of speakers sharing insights on everything from maritime search and rescue coordination to cutting-edge personal flotation device technology. Highlights included presentations from Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton on collaborative SAR efforts, Parks Canada’s innovative visitor safety programs along Ontario’s historic canals, and the Royal Canadian Navy’s community-focused approach to marine safety.

We were particularly interested in the Boating Law Enforcement Panel, which featured perspectives from the RCMP National Marine Program, Ontario Provincial Police, and Toronto Police’s Specialized Emergency Response Marine Unit. Understanding how different agencies coordinate their efforts helps us better support boaters and work alongside official rescue services when needed.

Innovation in Safety Equipment

Mustang Survival’s presentation on their next-generation PFD design was fascinating, showcasing how technology continues to improve boater safety. As a company that responds to emergencies on the water daily, we know firsthand how critical proper safety equipment is – and it’s exciting to see continued innovation in this space.

Special Recognition: The Lifesaving Society

We want to give special recognition to the Lifesaving Society, whose representatives delivered two powerful presentations during the symposium. Briar McCaw’s talk on “From Shorelines to Safety: Community-Driven Partnerships for Safer Waters” highlighted how grassroots partnerships can create meaningful change in water safety education and prevention.

Lisa Hanson Ouellette’s presentation on the WATER SMART® communities initiative demonstrated the Society’s commitment to drowning prevention through evidence-based behavior change models and multi-sector partnerships. Their research-driven approach to public education aligns perfectly with C-Tow’s mission to keep boaters safe on Canadian waters.

An Exciting Partnership on the Horizon

We’re thrilled to announce that C-Tow will be partnering with the Lifesaving Society in the near future to enhance water safety awareness and prevention efforts across Canada. The Lifesaving Society has been Canada’s lifeguarding expert for over 130 years, training lifeguards and swimming instructors, conducting water safety research, and advocating for drowning prevention.

Their expertise in water safety education combined with C-Tow’s on-water emergency response capabilities creates a powerful partnership focused on both prevention and assistance. Together, we’ll work to ensure Canadian boaters have access to the knowledge, training, and support they need to enjoy our beautiful waterways safely.

Building Stronger Networks

Events like the CSBC Symposium remind us that marine safety truly is a collective effort. From coast guard coordination to community education programs, from equipment innovation to emergency response – we’re all working toward the same goal: keeping people safe on the water.

The connections made and knowledge shared at this symposium will help C-Tow continue to evolve our services and partnerships. Whether it’s learning about new safety technologies, understanding regulatory changes, or discovering innovative approaches to boater education, these insights directly benefit our members and the broader boating community.

Thank You, CSBC

A big thank you to the Canadian Safe Boating Council for organizing such a valuable event, and to all the speakers who shared their expertise. The marine safety community in Canada is stronger because of collaborative efforts like this symposium.

As we head into the 2026 boating season, C-Tow remains committed to our role in Canada’s marine safety network – providing reliable assistance when you need it most, while working with partners like the Lifesaving Society to prevent emergencies before they happen.