THUNDER BAY — Provincial police and conservation officers will continue to be out on the region’s roads and waterways, officials say.
Of particular concern, according to a media release issued by the OPP, are people who have open liquor in their boats, those who are missing safety equipment and issues around dumping garbage.
“A lot of the out-of-province or out-of-country boats that we're checking are actually more compliant, than our local residents, which is unfortunate to say,” said provincial constable Joel Eppinghaus.
“Now, in saying that, there are individuals that travel from southern Ontario or other provinces that do, obviously, have liquor on board their vessel.”
“A lot of the individuals we have observed with either open liquor in the boat or a full cooler of coolers and hard liquor and other alcoholic beverages are Ontario residents.”
Boating while intoxicated and not having proper safety gear can be a deadly combination, Eppinghaus said.
“We've lost a number of lives to people that, one, have consumed alcohol and are operating a vessel, but, further to that is they're not wearing a life jacket,” he said. “When you mix those two — alcohol and not wearing a life jacket — I mean, you're looking for some sort of disaster to happen at that point.”
“The police are always the ones being called to these tragic events.”
When announcing the joint summertime enforcement, OPP also said they nabbed an allegedly impaired boater, who now faces numerous charges, not only criminally, but under several other statutes as well.
Eppinghaus said people should also plan ahead and make sure everything’s in working order, especially if they’re considering a long voyage.
“Typically, we don't store our vehicles away for the winter months and fall months like we do with the boat, but just prepare yourself,” he said.
“Make sure you have some extra water, some extra snacks, some sort of navigation — whether it be paper map or offline maps on your phone,” Eppinghaus continued. “Always make sure that people are aware of where you're going.”
And, he said, law enforcement will have their eyes out there.
“I think the public should just be aware that we are out and about as much as we can — whether it is on Lake Superior, Lake Nipigon, or one of the smaller lakes,” he said.
“We are around — obviously we can't be everywhere — but you just never know where we're going to pop up.”