NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
MIDLAND - Members of the OPP Marine Unit attached to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were out on patrol over the weekend of June 18-21, 2020. Marine officers conducted 35 hours of patrol on the waters of Georgian Bay checking 25 vessels and their operators for any signs of impairment and for having all of the required equipment.
Those vessel checks resulted in the following infractions being noted-
- Four offence notices were issued to operators of vessels that did not have sufficient life jackets for all persons aboard.
- Three operators were ticketed for failing to provide their vessel registration or Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)
- One offence ticket was issued to an operator with open liquor while underway.
- 11 warnings were issued by the officers for various marine equipment issues.
Officers attended seven calls for service from the public including searching and locating two persons lost in the McCrea Lake area and a vessel fire in Georgian Bay Township extinguished by Georgian Bay Fire Service with the three occupants escaping unharmed. (see attached submitted photograph) Another search was also conducted in Hogg's Bay at 3:25 p.m. June 21, 2020 by the marine unit for a missing swimmer last observed before the afternoon rain storm. Swimmer was located safe on shore.
The Marine Unit also visited four area marina's and made themselves available for marine educational questions from marina patrons during their patrol time. Officers remind boaters operating human powered water craft such as canoes that impaired driving legislation does apply as does the Liquor Licence Act.
Young vessel passengers who were observed wearing their Life Jacket continue to be rewarded by officers with the popular "I Got Caught Wearing My Life Jacket" T-Shirt program - (see attached submitted photograph)
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 http://www.chimnissing.ca/
Georgian Bay Islands National Park https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/georg
Georgian Bay Township https://www.gbtownship.ca/en/index.aspx
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 safe vessel operation and equipment please view the following web site - https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-menu-1362.htm and the attached MADD Canada poster
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.
*************************
