Latest news with #impairedboating
CTV News
23-07-2025
- CTV News
Police charge man with impaired driving after boat crashes in Whitby
A boat was damaged after crashing into rocks near the Whitby marina on Monday, July 21, 2025. (Durham police) A 36-year-old man has been charged after a boat crashed near the Whitby marina on Monday night that resulted in three people, including a child, falling into the water. Emergency services received a call at 9:20 p.m. about impaired boaters heading to Whitby. Durham police said a boat crashed into the rocks and the three occupants, including a seven-year-old, fell overboard. Off-duty firefighters who were on a boat nearby responded and rescued all three people, who police said did not sustain physical injuries. Shortly later, the boat was pulled into the marina. Images shared by police show a damaged bow. Police said the driver of the boat was arrested and has been charged with impaired operation—alcohol and fail/refuse demand.
CTV News
13-07-2025
- CTV News
Impaired boater charged after passenger dies on lake near Bancroft, Ont.
An OPP cruiser is pictured in this undated photo. (Source: OPP Central Region) Ontario Provincial Police have charged a 21-year-old impaired boater after a passenger fell overboard and did not resurface southeast of Bancroft, Ont. Saturday morning. Police say officers were called to Weslemkoon Lake in the Township of Addington Heights after getting reports that a person had fallen in the water at 7:45 a.m. A coordinated response from a marine unit, air and underwater search and rescue team was sent in to locate the person. The body of a 22-year-old man from Toronto was recovered at approximately 8 p.m. After an investigation, police charged a 21-year-old man from Toronto with operation causing death, dangerous operation causing death and two offences relating to impaired driving. The investigation is ongoing and the identity of the deceased is not being released at this time, police say. OPP tell CTV News Ottawa there were approximately a dozen marine incidents across the province this weekend. Police are urging people to make sure they are wearing their lifejacket while on board any boat or vessel. 'Boaters and paddlers are reminded that alcohol or drug impairment, operator inexperience and not wearing a lifejacket, are among contributing factors in marine injuries and deaths,' OPP said in a news release on Sunday morning. 'For a safe and enjoyable boating season, always be well prepared, check the weather forecast, and make sure your vessel is functioning and equipped.' Police recommend all vessel owners and operators familiarize themselves with the Safe Boating Guide before venturing out onto the water with your family. Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact L&A County OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at Weslemkoon Lake is located approximately 215 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- CTV News
First day of summer brings sobering reminder for boaters
Boats docked on the water in Georgina, Ont., on Fri., June 20, 2025. The first official day of summer means boating season is well underway and York Regional Police (YRP) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are doing their part in reminding the public to not drink and drive, including on the water. 'It's important to raise awareness about being impaired by drugs or alcohol and operating a vehicle, whether it's a boat or a car, is still catastrophic when there are crashes,' said Rebecca Blight, president MADD York Region. YRP and MADD have once again partnered up and put signs under bridges on waterways to remind boaters to not drive impaired. YRP Impaired Boating Campaign A MADD Ontario 'report impaired boating' sign is pictured. (CTV News/Luke Simard) 'The sign that's under the bridge reminds boaters to do two things, one call 911 if they suspect that there's an impaired boater, and to remind boaters not to consume alcohol or drugs prior to getting into a boat or while they're operating a boat,' said Russ Bellman, superintendent of support services for YRP. Blight added rules are the same for drivers and boaters. 'People think that when they're on a boat the laws really don't apply to them - it's still the same, you still are impaired, whether it's drugs or alcohol,' said Blight. 'It can be more dangerous to do that because you're on a body of water.' Blight added that impaired driving creates a ripple effect that touches entire families and communities. 'It's not just that person that's involved, it's their mother, their sister, their sister's friend, their best friend, their dad, their dad's friend,' said Blight. YRP Impaired Boating Campaign Members of York Regional Police and M.A.D.D. stand in front of the R.I.D.E. YRP vehicle on Fri., June 20, 2025. (CTV News/Luke Simard) YRP is reminding all boaters be proactive when it comes to safety on the water. 'Wear an approved life-jacket, have the right safety equipment on, tell people when you're out on the water, tell somebody where you're going, and when you're going to be back,' said Bellman. Officers will be patrolling Lake Simcoe, cracking down on boaters under the influence this summer. Police remind the public that on the water, the rules are the same as on the road — if you boat impaired, you'll face the same serious charges as impaired driving.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- CTV News
Alberta boaters to be breathalyzed more often this summer: province
The Gaetz Avenue Bridge looking over the Red Deer River. (Google Street View) The Alberta government is looking to crack down on impaired boaters, who they say pose a serious threat to safety on local waterways. The province has announced a new program to increase the number of boat operators being tested with breathalyzers. Starting Saturday, fish and wildlife officers will enhance patrols on lakes and rivers around Spruce Grove, Wetaskiwin, Ponoka, Camrose and Red Deer. Operating a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a criminal offence. The province said it is also a leading factor in recreational boating deaths in Alberta, with 50 per cent of boating-related deaths involving alcohol. Any operators found to be impaired will be arrested and could face criminal charges. Other penalties could include suspension of their driver's licence, fines and possible jail time. 'Alberta families have a right to enjoy our beautiful summers safely. The pilot program we've announced today sends a clear message: impaired boating has no place on Alberta's waterways. Full stop,' Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services, said. 'Operating a boat while impaired is just as dangerous and illegal as driving a car impaired.' In addition to testing boat operators, officers will be checking boat licences, compliance with safety requirements and speed in wake zones. The program will run until September.
CBC
15-05-2025
- CBC
Alberta pilot program to target impaired boaters starting on May long weekend
A new provincial program aimed at cracking down on impaired boating will see fish and wildlife officers start administering breathalyzer tests on lakes and rivers in central Alberta for the summer months. This new pilot program to target impaired boaters in "key areas" of the province will begin on Friday and run until Sept. 1, the province said. Previously, fish and wildlife officers did not administer breathalyzer tests. In a news release Thursday, the province said the new program will focus on lakes and rivers around Spruce Grove, Wetaskiwin, Ponoka, Camrose, and Red Deer. The release states that if there is a reasonable suspicion that a boat operator has consumed alcohol, fish and wildlife officers can now administer breath tests and can arrest the operator if they are impaired. Penalties for operating a boat while impaired may include suspension of driver's licence, fines, prohibition from operating a boat, and possible prison terms. According to the Lifesaving Society and Drowning Research Centre Canada, 50 per cent of boating-relating water fatalities in Alberta involve alcohol consumption. "Alberta families have a right to enjoy our beautiful summers safely. The pilot program we've announced today sends a clear message: impaired boating has no place on Alberta's waterways. Full stop," said Alberta's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis. "Operating a boat while impaired is just as dangerous and illegal as driving a car impaired. I want to commend our fish and wildlife officers for taking concrete steps to prevent accidents and keep Albertans safe."
