Boaters and people just looking for a good time in the sun on an island in Lake Erie will flock this weekend to Long Point and Turkey Point for The Pottahawk Pissup, with police promising to be there too.

It's described as Canada's biggest boat party and draws thousands of boats, even more partiers and the police.

"Have we had our incidents where people have been assaulted? Yes, we have," said Norfolk OPP Constable Ed Sanchuk, referring to past incidents of sexual assault.

Pottahawk is a small island sandwiched in the bay between Long Point and Turkey Point. So, people attending either arrive on personal watercraft or attempt to hitch a ride with a boater.

Sanchuk said in the past, intoxicated people have been left stranded and have attempted to swim from Pottahawk to Turkey Point. That's something that he warned against, especially this year.

"Please plan ahead and make sure that everyone has a ride back to shore because the water right now is approximately 68-degrees, so it's extremely cold," said Sanchuk.

Despite the large and often unruly crowds and police concerns, no one CBC spoke with had any concerns with the event. Some Long Point locals pointed to a big boost to the economies in the area.

"We're not there to ruin anybody's fun but we're there to make sure everyone acts in a safe, mature, responsible manner because traditionally the OPP and the Norfolk County community have enjoyed very successful Pottahawk events and we're going to continue that tradition," said Sanchuk.

Sanchuk said law enforcement will be checking to ensure boaters are sober, have proper safety equipment on board, and that the designated driver has a valid operator's card.

He added impaired operation of a vessel carries the same penalties as drunk driving.