OPP charge boater near Midland

A 36-year-old boater is facing a handful of charges after getting stopped on Georgian Bay by the Southern Georgian Bay OPP marine unit on Oct. 3.

Members of the OPP were patrolling the waters of Georgian Bay over the weekend. At about 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, officers went to check on a pontoon vessel, which appeared to be having difficulty near the shoreline of Snake Island. 

After assisting the boater, officers entered into a drinking and driving investigation. 

According to police, the 36-year-old operator failed a test on the roadside screening device and was transported back to the detachment for further investigation.

A Toronto man is now facing five charges including: operation while impaired, operating a boat with an open container of liquor, operating a boat without a copy of a boating licence on board, failure to have proof of competency, and fishing without a licence.

The man was issued a 90-day drivers’ licence suspension. He is slated to appear in court in Midland on Dec. 10.