NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
TINY TOWNSHIP - Members of the OPP Marine Unit attached to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted 31 hours of marine patrol on the waters of Georgian Bay during July 24-26, 2020.
The marine unit members checked 51 vessels and their operators for any signs of impairment and for having all of the required equipment. Extra patrol time was also dedicated 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:
- One vessel operator was ticketed for not having his vessel outfitted with the required safety equipment.
- Two vessel operators were ticketed for not having a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)
- Five warnings were conveyed to vessel operators by the officers for various marine equipment issues.
Drinking and driving investigations on the water:
- Seven operators provided breath samples into the Approved Screening Device (ASD)
- One operator received a three day suspension for an intoxilyzer reading over 50 milligrams after being arrested for Operation over 80mg as he registered a "Fail" reading on the ASD.
- Six vessel operators "passed" on the ASD.
Vessel Stop of Interest
Marine officers had the occasion to check the same vessel twice over the weekend as it left the area of Giant's Tomb on Georgian Bay. On Saturday the operator registered a "fail" reading on the ASD causing the officer to arrest the operator and the officer looking for a sober operator for this vessel had to arrange for a Tow Vessel as the three passengers on board were in a obvious state caused by the over consumption of alcoholic beverages.
The arrested operator was investigated for the offence of Over 80 Milligrams at detachment and registered under the legal limit on the intoxilyzer and was issued a three day suspension of his Ontario Drivers Licence as per the rules set out in the Ministry of Transportation Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension program.
On Sunday, the same operator with the same vessel was stopped in the same area and again provided a sample on the ASD when asked by the officer and registered under 50 milligrams on the ASD. In the interest of public safety the investigation, vessel operators are encouraged to view the following educational videos on the effects of alcohol and cannabis https://csbc.ca/en/operation-dry-water.
The Marine Unit also visited four area marina's and made themselves available for marine educational questions from marina patrons during their patrol time.
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 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
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.
*************************
