(WHITESTONE TOWNSHIP, ON) – On June 22, 2018 at shortly after 9 p.m., a member of the West Parry Sound Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police was conducting marine patrol with a Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Conservation Officer in the waters of Whitestone Lake. A vessel was checked and the officers spoke to the operator. The officer determined that he had consumed alcohol.
As a result of the investigation, Nicholas GORKA, a 23 year old male from London, Ontario was arrested and charged with:
Operate vessel with more than 80 mgs of alcohol in blood, contrary to section 253(1)(b) of the Criminal Code (CC),
Fail to have proof of competency on board a pleasure craft, contrary to section 3(1)(b) of the Canada Shipping Act (CSA), and
Have liquor in open container in other than premises contrary to the Liquor Licence Act (LLA).
The driver was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Parry Sound, Ontario on July 5, 2018.
The OPP reminds vessel operators that there is no safe amount of drug or alcohol consumption when operating a boat and that the same laws apply to boats as vehicles. Anyone who suspects a vessel operator that is driving while impaired is urged to call police by dialing 9-1-1 immediately.