Ontario Provincial Police officers out patrolling area waterways of late have noticed what they call "a disturbing trend."
Between July 24 and Aug. 1 during 70 hours of patrol, police conducted 83 vessel checks which resulted in nine charges for operators failing to have sufficient lifejackets for all people on board.
Other offences included a notice issued to a 42-year-old Etobicoke man who was towing a person on a tube through the main channel of Honey Harbour.
Among other incidents was a person under 16 operating a personal watercraft, and a 17-year-old Barrie woman operating a vessel in the dark without navigation lights.
Additionally, five people were charged under the Liquor Licence and Control Act (LLCA) while eight people were asked to provide breath samples for alcohol level screening, which resulted in two people having their driver's licence suspended for three days.
A total of 53 operators were warned for various minor offences under the Canada Shipping Act during checks.
Officers responded to six calls made to the OPP Communications Centre. The calls included speeding complaints of vessels passing through the area of Picnic Island with stationary speed enforcement conducted, checking on a anchored sailing vessel and also personal water crafts in Balm Beach thought to be a navigation hazard which were unfounded.
Significant time was spent by officers assisting in the search of a missing person in the Wye River area of Midland as well.
