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 38 hours of marine patrol during some very challenging weather conditions on the waters of Georgian Bay during the Aug. 26-30, 2020 time period.
The marine unit members checked 62 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. Patrol time was also focused on vessels and operators on the Trent Canal System especially in the Lock 45 (Port Severn) and Lock 44 (Big Chute Railway) areas and also to the areas off of Giant's Tomb Island observing for liquor infractions and assisting with trespassing issues on Beckwith and Hope Islands.
Those vessel checks resulted in the following infractions being investigated:
- Five vessel operators were charged with failing to have sufficient life jackets for all persons aboard - stand up paddle boards (SUP) and kayaks
- Two vessel operators were charged for not having a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) or vessel registration
- Two persons were charged with having or consuming liquor in other than a licensed place.
- One operator was charged with failing to have room on the vessel for a towed person while towing a person
- Two persons were charged for failing to have or provide valid Ontario Fishing Licences (Outdoors Card)
- 43 warnings were conveyed to vessel operators by the officers for various marine equipment issues.
Drinking and Driving Investigations on the water
- Four operators provided breath samples into the approved screening device (ASD) and all passed.
Marine Incidents of Interest
OPP Marine officers responded at 1:42 p.m. Aug. 22, 2020, to a report of two capsized kayaks on Georgian Bay off Kettles Beach (Awenda Park) area in Tiny Township.
Under the direction of the Canadian Coast Guard Joint Rescue and Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) OPP marine officers along with the Canadian Coast Guard vessel RESCUE 1000 and private vessels Georgian Explorer and Canadian Effort who all encountered three to four-metre waves in 30-knot winds as they attended the search area to locate the missing kayakers.
Fortunately, the two kayakers made it safely to shore without incident and were checked out by Township of Tiny Fire Service and County of Simcoe Paramedics and released. Of note, the two adult male kayakers, both of Toronto, had their lifejackets on during the incident.
OPP Marine officers also responded at 3:53 p.m. Aug. 29, 2020, to a report of two persons in the water with a capsized catamaran on Nottawasaga Bay off the 15th Concession of Tiny Township.
A search under the direction of the Canadian Coast Guard Joint Rescue and Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) was commenced and a vessel from the Meaford Canadian Coast Guard Base was dispatched to attend as well as Tiny Township Fire Service and County of Simcoe Paramedic Services were staged onshore.
The OPP Marine Unit was able to locate the overturned catamaran and two persons approximately two kilometres from shore off of the 13th Concession of Tiny Township (Maurice Point). The two occupants were very happy to be removed from the water and get warm and dry aboard the OPP Marine vessel Thomas P. Coffin who transported them to shore at the Tiny Cove Marina to be checked out by paramedic services and later released.
Both occupants, a male, aged 24 years of Tiny Township, and a 24-year-old male of London were in the water for approximately two hours in three-meter waves awaiting to be rescued and both police and rescued persons attribute wearing lifejackets resulted in no injuries to either mariner.
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 and made themselves available for marine-related media interviews.
The Marine Unit also visited ten 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.
Boaters should also check the following websites and comply with any restrictions before planning to go ashore on your favourite island in Georgian Bay.
Beausoleil First Nations Lands
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Officers crewing the OPP patrol vessel's remind all vessel operators that they are checking for vessel equipment and for liquor offenses 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 en Francais.
Police remind operators that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our waterways. Educating the public about safe vessel operating practices is a priority.
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