NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Members of the OPP Marine Unit attached to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted 33 hours of marine patrol during some windy weather conditions over the weekend of Sept. 23-27, 2020 on the waters of Georgian Bay.
The marine unit members checked 46 vessels and their operators for any signs of impairment and for having all of the required equipment during their patrol time covering the waterways from Wasaga Beach to the Big Chute Railway on the Trent Severn system.
Those vessel checks resulted in the following infractions being investigated-
- Three operators were charged with failing to have sufficient life jackets for all persons aboard -
- Three vessel operators was charged for not having a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) or vessel registration
- Two persons were charged with having or consuming liquor in a vessel while underway.
- One operator was charged with failing to have appropriate life saving equipment on board.
- One operator was charged with failing to have a fire extinguisher on board.
- 10 warnings were conveyed to vessel operators by the officers for various marine equipment issues.
Drinking and driving investigations on the water:
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Four operators provided breath samples into the Approved Screening Device (ASD) with one vessel operator being issued a three-day ADLS drivers licence suspension, three operators passed the ASD test.
Marine Incidents of Interest
On the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 25 , 2020 the marine unit attended Christian Island to assist Anishinabek Police Service in a police investigation on the island.
At 6:04 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 the marine unit attended the area off Snake Island to assist at a vessel fire. The three occupants were not injured in the fire and the vessel was towed to shore by an area salvage contractor.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 at 6:06 p.m. the marine unit attended a vessel that had run aground at Beausoleil Bay shoal. No persons were injured and the vessel was removed by a tow vessel.
Educational Marine Safety
Marine officers continue to participate in the "I Got Caught Wearing My Life Jacket " educational T-shirt reward program for young boaters. They also make themselves available for marine related media interviews and to remind cottagers and vessel operators to practise "Lock It or Lose It!"
The Marine Unit also visited six area marina's and made themselves available for marine educational questions from marina patrons during their patrol time along with responding to 10 calls for service from the public. Vessel operators are encouraged to view the following educational videos on the effects of alcohol and cannabis https://csbc.ca/en/operation-dry-water .
Officers crewing the OPP patrol vessel's remind all vessel operators that they are checking for vessel equipment and for liquor offences which they are vigorously enforcing in an effort to reduce injuries and fatalities on our area waterways this summer. For more information on drinking and operating a vessel please view the following web video from our community partner Arrive Alive - https://youtu.be/rH5pvi0Bgoo en Francais https://youtu.be/mz0F605wXvw
The marine crew remind cottagers to practise Lock It or Lose It especially now as cottage close up season is nearing.
Police remind vessel operators that an essential part of our enforcement effort is to save lives and reduce injuries on our waterways while promoting and educating the public about safe boating practices.
With the cooler water temperatures of fall approaching, a view of the following link- ColdWaterBoootCamp will demonstrate the effects of cold water on the body should you go overboard.
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