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Broadcast time: 11:15 AM |
Date: August 24, 2020 |
At approximately 1:30 AM, on August 24, 2020, officers responded to a complaint, from witnesses, that a boat had struck a steel groin and that a child was possibly on board. The incident was to have taken place at Canatara Park Beach.
Once officers arrived on scene a boat was observed floating some 30 feet out from shore. The officers asked the occupants of the boat regarding their state of well-being to which they replied “fine”. Shortly thereafter officers heard the boat start up and sputter away eastbound with no lights on after failing to respond to any further of the officers’ requests.
The Point Edward Rescue Boat assisted in locating the damaged boat at approximately 2:10 AM between Blackwell Beach and the Modeland Road Beach. It was determined that there were 3 adults and a three-year-old child onboard.
After investigating the matter further, a breath demand was made of the 36-year-old male driver of the boat. The driver was taken back to the station where testing indicated that he had over 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood but under 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. The male was thus issued a 72 hour drivers licence suspension and tickets for no lights on the boat and no safety equipment on the vessel contrary to the Canadian Shipping Act.
Fortunately, no one was injured on the boat and the boat was towed to a local marina.
Constable Giovanni Sottosanti
Media Officer
Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168
Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca