The Ontario Provincial Police SAVE Unit laid 42 charges and issued 56 warnings during a province-wide enforcement initiative over the Civic Holiday long weekend.
The campaign, which ran from July 29 to Aug. 2, focused on marine and off-road vehicle safety across Central Ontario. Patrols took place in several locations, including Rice Lake and parts of Northumberland County.
According to the OPP, officers monitored waterways and trail systems in areas stretching from Georgian Bay and Algonquin Park to Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton and Northumberland.
Among the charges laid were eight offences related to failing to carry or wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device, six violations of the Canada Shipping Act and 14 offences under the Liquor Licence and Control Act.
Officers also laid charges involving helmet violations, Highway Traffic Act offences, fishing without a licence and the operation of vessels without the required documentation.
Police say alcohol-related offences and lifejacket violations accounted for more than half of all charges during the initiative.
The OPP also reported issuing two seven-day driver’s licence suspensions as part of impaired operation investigations.
Officials are reminding the public that the penalties for impaired boating are similar to those for impaired driving and can affect a person’s driver’s licence, whether they are operating a boat, vehicle, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
The OPP says officers will continue conducting marine and trail patrols throughout the remainder of the summer season.
