Police to monitor and promote safe waterway traffic

The police are involved in the Boating Safety Week held by the Finnish Lifeboat Institution on 1-7 June 2026.

The aims of the police boating policing operations are: 

• The goal on waterways (as on the roads) is a zero vision for road safety and to halve deaths in waterway traffic in 2020 – 2030.
• To promote good boating practice and to prevent waterway traffic accidents.
• To reduce boating while intoxicated. Around 80% of persons falling off of a boat and drowning are intoxicated.
• To improve the use of safety equipment. Compulsory equipment for all motorboats and sailing boats over 5 metres long are life vests, oars/a paddle/an anchor, a bailing device (pump, bailer or bucket), fire extinguisher when certain conditions are met.
• To oversee public order and safety on waterways and in the archipelago. In practice, this means dealing with emergency operations in waterway areas, harbours and the archipelago.
• Nature conservation and environmental protection. Supervision of fishing and hunting.