MIDLAND – While the weather is taking a turn to fall, the Southern Georgian Bay OPP marine unit says it will continue checking vessels and passengers for safety equipment and sober operators.
Officers checked more than 87 vessels during their 125 hours of patrol between Aug. 29 and Sept. 17 which saw the marine unit respond to 19 calls for service.
Police said the calls included for an impaired operator who along with with four passengers were checked at the mouth of Penetang Bay and registered three times the legal limit for alcohol and were charged.
There were also Trespassing Act investigations along with several suspicious and insecure vessel complaints and personal watercraft complaint investigations, police said in a release.
Officers "educated" 24 operators on minor infractions of the Canada Shipping Act and charged two operators with lifejacket offences, one Liquor Licence and Control Act violation, two Canada Shipping Act violations and a Fish and Game Act violation for having too many lines while angling.
Police also continued their "I Got Caught Wearing My Lifejacket" water safety program to educate young people.
No vessel collisions were reported or investigated as dispatched by the OPP Communications Center.
For interactive boating information with equipment requirements at your fingertips, the Southern Georgian Bay OPP suggested viewing Become a Better Boater Today.
Police also urged anyone boating during the cooler fall weather to wear their lifejacket as the lake water temperature drops.
The OPP also noted one of their calls for service this month sadly involved a search and recovery of a 12-year-old youth who passed away in the waters of Penetang Bay.
