Coyote Cruises expects to restart its channel cruise operations tomorrow with new safety protocols in place to deal with high water levels.
(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)
July 10, 2020 - 10:48 AM
Coyote Cruises is preparing for another run on the Okanagan River channel in Penticton starting tomorrow.
The channel float operator opened for the season on June 27 but suspended operations a few days later because of safety concerns due to high, fast flowing water in the Okanagan River channel between the Okanagan Lake dam and Skaha Lake.
Cruises spokesperson Mike Campol said in a statement the company expects to reopen tomorrow, July 11, with additional safety measures in place.
“We closed to consult with everyone that has experience with safety on the channel. It was all hands on deck, ” Campol said.
Additional signage has been placed at the channel exit.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Coyote Cruises
Consultations with a risk management safety company helped them develop a plan for safely exiting and backstopping channel floaters at the end of their rides.
“We built a revised safety plan around the knowledge the channel is safe to float when it’s fast, you just have to know how to exit,” Campol said.
The company has also implemented an education program and placed additional signage at the exit point.
Coyote Cruises will also be positioning a fully trained rescue team at the exit during business hours.
Campol says mid-point exits from the channel have been suspended while the channel continues to run high, noting it only takes 20 minutes to reach the midway point at present channel flows.
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