Advertisement
"Unfortunately, we still have had, thus far, a couple fatalities on our waterways that we patrol," OPP Const. Phil Young told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in a Zoom interview.
Consuming alcohol on a boat
Young said there are some circumstances where people can legally consume alcohol on a boat.
"We're not out there to ruin somebody's weekend or their day and cause them, you know, a hard time regarding this," he said.
"We get it, when you get back to shore, when you get back to your dock and you sit at your dock and you're not going anywhere and you're going to sit on your vessel and have a beer or a drink, so be it."
Three things need to happen to drink on a vessel:
- The boat must be tied up to a dock or shore or anchored somewhere
- Boat has a pump-out head for the black/wastewater
- Permanent cooking facilities
"What we are seeing more now are pontoon boats where the retailer has told them, 'well, all you need is a port-a-potty screwed onto the back of the boat or onto the front of the boat and a barbecue, or hibachi,'" Young said.
"So that doesn't fly. That's not the intention of the rules and the guidelines, according to Transport Canada."
Human waste must be disposed of properly and not just thrown into the water.
Cooking facilities need a stove, oven or microwave to be considered a permanent cooking facility.
While it may be okay to enjoy an alcoholic beverage after a day of boating, Young stresses public water safety.
"Please don't go out on that boat again after you've been consuming alcohol and or drugs too," he said.
Report impaired drivers
"If you suspect someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. It is important to call 911 to report it," OPP said.
Young said not a lot of people want to get involved when they see a suspected impaired driver, but to think of the risk of not reporting it.
"They see that happen and they think … 'I'll let somebody else call or it's not a big deal, I'm just going to go home, mind my own business," he said.
"But think of that as one of your loved ones out on the water or one of your children out fishing or out kayaking, or your grandparents, or you're somebody out on the water, enjoying the waterway."
Top Story
- They came from Jamaica for work, now they're homeless and out thousands of dollars in lost wages 12
- Disabled Sudbury man living in his vehicle 6
- Northern Ont. traffic stop leads to 3 arrests, seizure of $18K in suspected drugs
- Provincial police look for help locating off-road vehicle stolen in Hearst
- 'We're at a high degree of spread': What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ontario
- Sault residents voice concerns over possible path for new North Shore transmission line 11
- Police seize sawed-off shotgun, ammo, northern Ont. teen charged 3
- Air Canada deal avoids shutdown, brings relief to passengers and business groups 5
- Loblaw using body-worn cameras at 2 Calgary stores as part of pilot project 1
- 4 charged with manslaughter, forcible confinement in Burnaby 19-year-old's death: IHIT
- Greater Sudbury’s Elgin Street Mission renames its kitchen to honour late city councillor 26
- Inflation expected to ease to 2.1%, lowest level since March 2021: economists
- Andrew Scheer avoids answering if Conservatives will cancel dental care program 1
- Airport Road in Timmins reopens after Saturday morning crash
Stories from around the region
Sudbury
- Manitoulin Island also seeing increase in food bank usage
- No $75M Lotto Max jackpot winner but draw sees one new Ont. millionaire, 4 Encore winners
- Greater Sudbury’s Elgin Street Mission renames its kitchen to honour late city councillor
- Cinéfest Sudbury set to get underway with a film the director hopes sends a message of hope
Timmins
- Moosonee suspect charged with nine criminal weapons offences
- Cochrane services board addresses criticism of info session after Timmins councillor urges leaders to 'better engage with the community' over proposed health hub
- Phone lines, internet restored across Rainbow District Schools
- Company works on plan to extract gold from mine tailings near Kirkland Lake, Ont.