Recent charges issued by Hawkesbury OPP officers are a reminder that laws prohibiting impaired driving also apply on the water, and that marine vessels need to comply with safety laws.
The marine unit of the Hawkesbury Detachment of the OPP issued 14 tickets, and laid two criminal charges on the Ottawa River during the Canada Day long weekend. The most common offences were issued for improper or missing safety equipment, and open alcohol on board a vessel.
On June 30, the marine unit arrested and charged a 59-year-old resident of St-Joseph-du-lac with the following offences under the Criminal Code (CC):
- CC – Adult operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
- CC – Adult operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on July 31, in L’Orignal.
On July 1, the marine unit arrested and charged a 44-year-old Grenville-sur-la-Rouge resident with the following offences under the Criminal Code (CC), Canada Shipping Act (CSA), and Liquor Licence & Control Act (LLCA):
- CC – Adult failure or refusal to comply with demand
- CSA – Operating vessel with safety equipment not in good working order
- CSA – Operating pleasure craft without copy of licence on board
- LLCA – Operating boat underway with open container of liquor
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in L’Orignal on August 14.
