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
- Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial 16
- Day of Action to raise awareness about murdered and missing Indigenous women 1
- The Menendez brothers case is not the only one that's been affected by a true crime documentary 1
- Northwestern Ont. woman charged with arson with disregard for human life
- This Ottawa photo radar camera issued 200 tickets a day over the summer
- Two teens charged with setting July fire in northwestern Ont. that did $500K in damage
- Persistence pays off as Sudbury community reopens local fire station after almost 3-year closure 5
- Amid the Sault’s family doctor shortage, 8 Group Health Centre MDs receive awards, thanks from the community 13
- Two more teens charged with 'extensive damage' at Elliot Lake arena 3
- Union concerned about failing infrastructure at Sudbury's police headquarters 1
- Proof that cleared police of Thunder Bay man's throat injury comes out in the end
- Motorcyclist suffers serious injuries in Highway 11 crash, police investigating 2
- Sudbury police lay 16 charges in off-road vehicle safety blitz 3
- Trudeau repeats ceasefire call but doesn't condemn Israel sending troops into Lebanon 2