the OPP
Officers of the Rainy River District OPP have been conducting regular marine patrols with some very successful results.
Rainy River District OPP has three marine vessels and so far this summer, have teamed with Canada Border Services Officers and Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Officers to patrol various bodies of water including Namakan Lake, Crow Rock Lake (north of Dashawa), the Marmian Flood Waters and Rainy Lake.
Between May 1 and July 15, officers have logged over 58 hours of marine patrol time and made contact with 164 people.
When police stop vessels out on the water they are proactively checking for safety equipment, impaired operation of a vessel in addition to other provincial or federal infractions. Officers have been distributing Safe Boating Guides and educational materials to encourage compliance.
Unfortunately, police still find vessel operators are failing to have basic safety equipment in addition to committing other small vessel infractions. As a result, police have charged 21 people and have issued 30 warnings regarding various provincial offences.
Police have had to utilize the Alcotest screening device five times and have issued one Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension.
One noteworthy incident occurred on July 3, around 9 p.m. when OPP and Canada Border Services officers stopped a vessel in the area of Windy Point on Rainy Lake.
It was discovered that the vessel operator had been consuming alcohol and had open liquor in the vessel.
Officers required the operator to be escorted back to the OPP detachment for further investigation.
Two other occupants of the vessel had also been drinking and had to be escorted off the water by officers.
As a result, the police had to tow the vessel to a nearby marina and the vessel operator was charged with several liquor related offences.
Police are reminding vessel operators that drinking alcohol and operating a vessel is dangerous and can have deadly consequences.
The OPP and other enforcement services will continue to conduct marine patrols during the day and night hours.
Wear your lifejacket and have your required safety equipment on board your vessel.
Have a safe summer, don’t booze and cruise.
