Boaters checked by marine officers from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment seem to still be missing lifejackets which are a crucial piece of personal safety equipment should the vessel capsize or sink.
Over the August 11-18, 2022, time period officers checked 95 vessels for safety equipment resulting in eight operators being charged for failing to have sufficient lifejackets for everyone on board their vessel. In light of the recent drowning incident on Lake Simcoe, vessel operators need to ensure all persons on board are wearing or a the least have a lifejacket.
Marine officers logged 73.5 hours of patrol time on the waters of Georgian Bay focusing efforts on Giants Tomb and Beckwith Island areas along with patrols of Gloucester Pool and the Trent System keeping a watch for impaired operators with eight operators being tested on the roadside screening device for blood/alcohol levels. Seven operators were charged with various equipment violations under the Canada Shipping Act and three operators were served tickets for Liquor Licence Control Act offences.
Numerous investigations were also conducted as the officers responded to 14 calls for service on numerous bodies of water located within the Detachment patrol area.
Educating the public about safe driving practices with our community safety partners is a priority, if you see a possible impaired driver on our roadways, waterways or trails please “Make the Call” and dial 911 as impaired driving never ends well, please make a plan to get home safely.