Southern Georgian Bay OPP marine officers were kept busy with calls over the past week.
Between July 15 and 23, officers responded to 11 calls for service, including the following:
- Complaints of vessels speeding through the Picnic Island area.
- Trespassing on private property in the area of Tomahawk Channel. Police remind vessel operators to be aware of the Georgian Bay Islands National Park boundaries. Otherwise, the vacant land is privately owned.
- Assisting the Canadian Coast Guard with several vessels in need of assistance and derelict vessels in Hogg Bay.
- Assisting the Canadian Coast Guard in helping nine people in Papoose Bay off Georgian Bay Islands National Park who encountered mechanical problems and the vessel sank. No injuries were reported as all occupants were wearing life-jackets.
- Responding to boating complaints involving vessels being operated with little regard for others — speeding, speeding too close to shore, and excessive noise.
Officers logged a total of 68 hours on patrol, checking 72 vessels for required equipment and signs of operator impairment. Forty operators were “educated in various marine-related violations that were minor in nature,” police said in a news release.
Three operators were charged for life-jacket-related offences and eight were charged for Canada Shipping Act infractions.
Police also rewarded youth who were wearing life-jackets.
