the OPP
Teamed up with the Summer Experience program students, the OPP’s marine patrol covered Rainy Lake, Lake Despair, and Footprint Lake in 2008.
From May through to Sept. 1, officers were on the water for a total of 180 hours. They stopped and checked 196 vessels, performed 31 security checks of cottages, and used the Alcotest screening device 12 times.
During the vessel stops, officers found several not in compliance with provincial and federal legislation. Over the course of the summer, they charged 26 operators with small vessel regulations offences and issued 64 warnings.
There were 12 Liquor Licence Act charges and 15 warnings given.
As a result of the Alcotest screening device use, four 12-hour suspensions were issued and one male was charged with impaired operation of a vessel.
Officers offered T-shirts and giveaways to those found in compliance with the legislation, and encouraged the public to be vigilant about boating safety.
