Local police boarded a vessel in Collingwood harbour this weekend and slapped the people on board with a list of charges related to impaired boating, illegal operation and breach of probation.
The Collingwood and Blue Mountains Ontario Provincial Police, as well as officers from the Huronia West detachment responded to a complaint on June 16 about a 33-foot Thundercraft Magnum "unlawfully moored" in the Collingwood harbour, according to a news release from OPP.
Police found the vessel was underway in the harbour, and officers ordered the boat to stop so they could board it for a safety inspection.
"In addition to numerous violations of the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act, the operator was suspected to be under the influence of a drug and detained for the purpose of that investigation," states the news release. "Through the investigation it was further learned that the operator was on probation for impaired related offences.
A 44-year-old female from Collingwood will now face the following charges in court:
- Operation of a vessel while impaired (Drug).
- Failure or Refusal to comply with demand.
- Breach of Probation
- Operate Vessel without the required competency.
- Operate pleasure craft - fail to transfer licence on becoming new owner.
- Operate vessel without personal floatation device for each person on-board.
- Fail to have Prescribed Navagation equipment on-board.
- Operate vessel without prescribed fire fighting equipment on-board.
- Operate vessel without prescribed visual signaling equipment on-board.
- Operate vessel - failure to maintain safety equipment.
"The Collingwood and Blue Mountains OPP remind everyone venturing out on the water this summer season, to remain sober while operating your vessel," concludes the news release. "Also, ensure that you have the prescribed safety equipment on-board your boat and ensure that it is in working order. If you suspect someone of driving or operating a vessel while impaired, call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or dial 911 to report it."
