NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Since June 30, 2020, the Collingwood Detachment and the Huronia West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have been working together to educate the public, respond to marine emergency calls and enforce various provincial and federal statutes related to the use of waterways.
The Collingwood and Huronia West Joint Marine Unit actively patrol parts of the Nottawasaga River and a stretch of Georgian Bay, from the east end of Wasaga Beach to Thornbury, in the Town of the Blue Mountains.
The unit has been proactively enforcing excessive speed violations along the Nottawasaga River, and since June 30, has laid approximately 21 charges. Two of those vessel stops resulted in three-day licence suspensions for operators who consumed alcohol and registered an "ALERT" on an approved screening device.
During patrols, officers have also laid charges for towing violations, operating without a pleasure craft operator card, having open liquor, inadequate safety equipment, and impaired operation.
"We can't be everywhere, but we can be anywhere," notes Provincial Constable Acero.
Officers crewing the OPP patrol vessels remind all vessel operators that they are checking for vessel equipment and for liquor offences which they are vigorously enforcing in an effort to reduce injuries and fatalities on our area waterways this summer.
For more information on safe vessel operation and equipment please view the following web site - https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-menu-1362.htm.
Police remind operators that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our waterways. Educating the public about safe vessel operating practices is a priority.
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