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'If you choose to cruise with open booze, remember you will lose,' OPP warn

Take note, cottagers, Ontario Provincial Police marine unit is charging boaters on Simcoe waters
LLA_Seizures_Aug19
Supplied photo/Ontario Provincial Police

NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Members of the OPP Marine Unit attached to the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provided 33 hours of active marine patrol time on the waters of Simcoe North Aug. 12 to 18, 2019.

OPP marine officers who partnered throughout the week with fellow marine officers from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and Parks Canada checked 51 vessels and operators for proper vessel equipment and sobriety while patrolling the waters of Georgian Bay and responded to 15 calls for marine related service from the public.

Marine officers also responded to four false 911 calls from cellphones that consumed valuable patrol time of the officers. Vessel operators are reminded to secure their cellphones to help prevent these false 911 calls that needlessly tie up police and emergency response resources, please view False 911 calls for more information.

Officers were on patrol for several community events such as the parade of lights and tug boat races of Tug Fest at the Midland Town Dock/ Midland Harbour and the annual fireworks display on Six Mile Lake. OPP and MNRF officers presented on marine and water safety to a group of campers staying at the Midland Town Dock.

Ten vessel operators received offence notices for marine based violations as follows: three operators for failing to have their Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) with them, one operator was charged for failing to have a spotter while towing a water skier, two operators for failing to have approved lifejackets with them, one vessel owner was charged for allowing a 14-year-old to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) and three operators were charged with having open liquor aboard.

OPP marine officers off Southern Georgian Bay detachment remind all vessel operators, "If you choose to cruise with open booze, remember you will lose."

For more information, please view the following educational links from the Office of Safe Boating:

https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-menu-1362.htm
https://www.tc.gc.ca/fra/securitemaritime/desn-bsn-menu-1362.htm

For anyone who is unsure of the equipment required for their vessel, please view the following link to get the app for their mobile device https://csbc.ca/en/ or https://csbc.ca/fr/  or view the Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide at http://www.tc.gc.ca/documents/TP-511e.pdf

Police remind vessel operators that an essential part of our enforcement effort is to save lives and reduce injuries on our waterways while promoting and educating the public about safe boating practices. Your lifejacket only works if you're wearing it!

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