Wednesday, June 16, 2004

BOATING AND BOOZE DON’T MIX
One of the Many Focuses of the OPP Marine Unit

(North Bay, Ontario)
he North Bay OPP Marine Unit will be busy patrolling on area waterways enforcing the Liquor License Act (LLA) during this boating season. Each year, vessels that are checked lead to liquor seizures and provincial offence charges laid against operators and passengers. In many cases the boat occupants were fishing and chose liquor as their refreshment beverage.

Under Ontario Liquor law, a vessel without specific criteria does not qualify as a residence, licensed premises or private place therefore making the possession of open liquor or it’s consumption, against the law. Officers will issue offense notices to the occupants that in contravention of this law and will seize any liquor on board the vessel.

To legally have open liquor while on the waterways, the vessel must be in the state of being utilized as a residence: the vessel must be equipped with a sleeping area, kitchen and washroom and be anchored.

Each year, lives are lost to boating mishaps. Frequently the consumption of alcohol in connection with the operation of the vessel, was a contributing factor to fatalities.

For the safety of yourself and your passengers, leave the alcohol out of the mix.