406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-2066 w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e rs . c a MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS Improve your home with the warmth of a Continental Fireplace Visit Our SHOWROOM HW Y. #6 HWY. #5 WATERDOWN N S EW HALLMARK KITCHENSSOUTH DR . Quality Craftsmanship Innovative Designs Professional Service & Installation 10 Year Warranty 905-689-7877 www.hallmarkkitchens.ca 23 INNOVATION DRIVE (Clappisons Corners) WATERDOWN 9 W ednesday , A ugust 25, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Halton Regional Police Service marine unit was involved in two rescues in the span of two hours on stormy water last Thursday. The first rescue took place about one mile off the coast of Oakville around 1:30 p.m. just before rain and lightning hit. Then at 3:30 p.m. another res- cue took place in Burlington Bay. The first rescue involved the marine unit and the Town of Oakville Water Rescue Force (TOWARF). A 19-foot powerboat, with a family of seven, including one infant, had lost power after it ran out of fuel. With the storm fast approaching, the family radioed for help and the marine unit and TOWARF took the family to shore. TOWARF also toed the boat to shore. Two hours later, two marine units, along with the Canadian Coast Guard, responded to a report of a cap- sized 12-foot sailboat in Burlington Bay just after the storm went through the area. Halton police staff sergeant Don Cousens said the boat might have capsized as a result of the storm, but that informa- tion is not certain. Three males, aged 25, fell in the water. Another boat operator tried to help the men in water, but was unable to get the third man on board his boat. When the police and coast guard arrived, they man- aged to get the third person to safety. No injuries were report- ed. Police say these two inci- dents are examples of how fast things can change on the water. The marine unit reminds boaters to be aware of the ever-changing weather conditions and to always wear a lifejacket. Constable Robert Garland, of the marine unit, said vari- ous precautions and proce- dures should be taken by boaters to minimize the safety risks. When you are planning your travels you should always plan your fuel so that you have one-third out, one-third back to your starting point and one- third as a reserve, he said, referring to precautions for boaters similar to the first inci- dent. He said boaters should have two means of communi- cations when out in the water such as a cell phone and another, such as a VHF radio. If you have a back up way of communicating help, then youre more sure that help will be on the way. You dont have to go far out onto the lake before youre going to lose a cell phone signal, he said. misjudging the distance to land and try to swim to land and thats when people drown, he said. He said boaters should stay with the capsized boat. If the water is very cold, boaters should pull themselves on top of the capsized boat out of the water to reduce the amount of body heat loss. Two lake rescues in as many hours Cell phones will work a mile out, but it can get sketchy at about six nautical miles out which is about 12 km out. He said boaters might not plan to go far off shore, but may wind up there if the boat breaks down and wind pushes them out. He said people who run out of gas should put their lifejackets on and to deploy an anchor in front to keep the bow into the wind. As the winds pick up and the waves come in, it (the boat) will start taking water into the boat. The best way is to have your bows into the waves. Thats how boats are meant to be. He also noted boaters should have emergency food, water and warm clothes in a dry bag. Of the second incident, regarding the sailboat, Garland gives further advice. Before you depart check the weather forecast. It was forecasting thunderstorms all day long, he said. He said to use Environment Canadas marine weather forecast thats available on the internet and provides up to date forecasts. Once the boat is capsized, the common mistake that people make is One Oakville teen was sent to the hospital after being struck in the back by a hand-held weapon during a robbery attempt in north Oakville Saturday. Halton Regional Police said the teen was walking along a foot path behind a shopping plaza at Upper Middle Road and Third Line with two friends when two older men confronted them just after 5 p.m. The two men, who appeared to be in their early 20s, demanded money from the three teenagers. The teens told police one of the robbers car- ried what looked like an expandable baton in his hand. One teen said they had no money and the trio turned around and began to walk away. Without warning, one of the teens was struck in the back of the head with the weapon. The three teens ran home and told their par- ents. The teen, who was hit in the head, was then taken to hospital but was later released with minor injuries. Nothing was taken from the vic- tims. The first suspect is described as Asian, 6-feet tall, in his early 20s with very short black hair. He wore a grey hoodie and dark jeans. The second suspect is described as 5-foot-9, early 20s with short black hair. He wore a white shirt with a black design on the front. Its believed he carried the weapon. The police service is continuing to investi- gate this incident. Anyone with information related to it is asked to contact the Oakville Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825- 4777 ext. 2215 or anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Robbery attempt sends teen to hospital