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 41 hours of marine patrol on the waters of Georgian Bay during the July 29 to Aug. 2, 2020 time period.
The marine unit members checked 78 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.
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:
- Three vessel operators were charged with failing to have sufficient life jackets for all persons aboard
- Four vessel operators were ticketed for not having their vessel outfitted with the required safety equipment.
- One vessel operator was ticketed for not having a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)
- One operator was charged for failing to have watcher while towing a person
- 35 warnings were conveyed to vessel operators by the officers for various marine equipment issues.
- Four persons were charged with having or consuming liquor in other than a licenced place.
- 35 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)
- Two operators received a three day (ADLS) suspensions after being arrested and charged Criminally for Operation over 80mg as they registered a "FAIL" reading on the Approved Screening Device (ASD).
- One vessel operator received a three day (ADLS) suspension and second operator received a seven day (ADLS) suspension after registering a "ALERT" reading on the ASD.
At 8:20 p.m. Aug. 1, 2020 OPP marine officers patrolling Chimney Bay near the government dock on Beausoleil Island stopped a Zodiac with a single occupant for a boating operation offence. The officers upon speaking with the operator entered into a drinking and driving investigation after the operator registered a "FAIL" result on the ASD. The operator was arrested and transported to Honey Harbour and onward to detachment by police cruiser for further investigation.
As a result of this investigation Ed Palvenis, 58 years old of Tiny Township, has been charged with - Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. The accused's Ontario drivers licence has been suspended for 90 days as per the rules set out in the Ministry of Transportation Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension program and was released from police custody on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Oct. 8, 2020.
On July 31, 2020 at 8:53 p.m. OPP marine officers passing through the Minihaha Point channel near Honey Harbour checked a pontoon style vessel with three occupants aboard. Officers spoke to the operator of the vessel and entered into a drinking and driving investigation after the operator registered a "FAIL" result on the ASD. The operator was arrested and transported to Honey Harbour and onward to detachment by police cruiser for further investigation.
As a result of this investigation Andrew McAllister, 45 years old of Milton, has been charged with - Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and further with Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. The accused's Ontario drivers licence has been suspended for 90 days as per the rules set out in the Ministry of Transportation Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension program and was released from police custody on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Oct. 8, 2020.
Vehicle stop on the way to the marina
Marine officers on the way to the marina observed and stopped a vehicle at 1:14 p.m. July 31, 2020 on Overhead Bridge Road, Tiny Township for a licence plate offence. Upon speaking to the two male occupants the officers through investigation confirmed that the driver was a suspended driver, the vehicle licence plates were stolen and a quantity of open liquor was seized from the interior of the vehicle.
A further investigation resulted in the following charges for the driver of the vehicle Jared Kyle Nesbitt 26 years old of Tay Township.
- Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada
- Poss of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
- Failure to comply with undertaking
contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
- Driving while under suspension
- Fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle
- Use plate not authorized for vehicle
- Fail to notify change of name
contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
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Driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available
contrary to the Liquor Licence Act
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Operate a motor vehicle without insurance
contrary to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
As a result of the further investigation the passenger of the vehicle Ian John Peabody, 34 years old of Midland, has been charged with the following offences:
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Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
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Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Cocaine
contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act
Both accused persons remain in custody awaiting a video bail hearing and will appear at a future date before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland
The Marine Unit also visited five area marina's and made themselves available for marine educational questions from marina patrons during their patrol time along with responding to 15 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.
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.
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