Uniform officers assigned to the Southern Georgian Bay detachment Marine Unit OPP completed 25 hours of patrol over the June 18-20, 2021 period covering the waters and areas of Tay Township, Honey Harbour, Giant’s Tomb, Trent Severn System and Six Mile Lake. Officers checked 65 vessels and responded to several trespassing complaints along with being first on scene at 4:16 p.m. June 20, 2021 at a 40′ vessel fire located on the north east side of Giant’s Tomb island which resulted in no injuries, vessel towed to a marina.
Officers observed at 7:10 p.m. June 20, 2021 a liquor offence aboard a 39′ vessel underway on the inner harbour of Penetang Bay, Penetanguishene. Further investigation revealed that there were no lifejackets on board the vessel for the seven occupants. The 52 year old operator from Barrie was cited for the following offences.
- Operate vessel with open liquor
- Fail to have sufficient lifejackets for all person aboard vessel
While patrolling Six Mile Lake in the area of the “Cook Outs” on June 19, 2021 at 6:20 p.m. officers observed a speeding offence and conducted a safety check of the vessel which had nine persons aboard. As a result of the vessel check, officers found six occupants did not have lifejackets and the operator of the vessel became the subject of an drinking and driving investigation.
As a result of this vessel stop and ensuing investigation the operator Andrew Louis Locke 34 years of Kitchener has been charged with the following offences-
- Operation while impaired – alcohol
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Operate vessel with open liquor
- Fail to have sufficient lifejackets for all person aboard vessel
The accused was released from custody on a recognizance to appear to before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on July 8, 2021.