General

Impaired boater arrested in Collingwood Harbour

A white boat in the water Photo Courtesy of the OPP

A 44-year-old woman has been charged with driving a vessel under the influence in Collingwood Harbour.

On June 16, the Collingwood and Blue Mountains Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were notified of a complaint that a 33-foot pleasure craft was unlawfully moored in the harbour. The Collingwood and Huronia West OPP marine unit located the vessel—a Thundercraft Magnum—underway in the harbour and stopped it to conduct a safety inspection.

Police detained the operator after suspecting her of being under the influence of a drug. Their investigation led them to discover that the operator was on probation for “impaired-related offences.”

As well as being charged with the operation of a vessel while impaired, the operator was charged with an additional nine violations of the Small Vessel Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act:

  • Failure or refusal to comply with demand
  • Breach of probation
  • Operating a vessel without the required competency
  • Operating a pleasure craft—failure to transfer license on becoming new owner
  • Operating a vessel without a personal floatation device for each person on-board
  • Failure to have prescribed navigation equipment on-board
  • Operating a vessel without prescribed fire fighting equipment on-board
  • Operating a vessel without prescribed visual signaling equipment on-board
  • Operating a vessel—failure to maintain safety equipment

Police are reminding the public to stay sober while out on the water this summer. If you suspect someone of driving or operating a vessel while under the influence, call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or dial 911 to report it.

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