THUNDER BAY – NEWS – As summer heats up across Northwestern Ontario, so does law enforcement on the region’s lakes.
Just like impaired driving seems to be an ongoing issue in the region, some individuals are also taking to the waterways and lakes in their marine craft with drink or joint in hand. It is a recipe for disaster or danger.
Again this summer, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) are partnering on joint marine patrols aimed at improving boating safety and protecting local waters through education and enforcement.
“Know the rules. Pack your safety gear. Leave the liquor ashore,” said an MNRF enforcement officer. “Boating is a privilege, and we all share responsibility for keeping our waters clean, safe, and legal.”
These patrols — led by the OPP’s Northwest Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (T.I.M.E.) team — include Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS), boat safety inspections, and fisheries regulation checks. Focused efforts are underway on popular waterbodies including Dog Lake and Kashabowie Lake, with patrols also covering areas around Thunder Bay, Gorham, and Shebandowan.
Common Violations on the Water
Officers report an increasing number of infractions involving:
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Open liquor in vessels
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Missing mandatory safety equipment, such as life jackets and flashlights
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Littering, particularly throwing beer cans into lakes or on Crown land
“These are not minor oversights — they’re preventable and dangerous violations that put everyone at risk,” said a spokesperson for the joint patrol team.
Serious Charges Laid on Kashabowie Lake
During a joint patrol on June 14th, officers stopped a vessel on Kashabowie Lake, leading to the arrest of Derick MICHAELIS, 44, of Fort Frances, Ontario, who now faces several serious charges.
Criminal Code:
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Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
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Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
Liquor Licence Act:
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Operating a boat underway with open liquor
Tobacco Tax Act:
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Possession of unmarked cigarettes
Canada Shipping Act – Small Vessel Regulations:
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Operating a non-human-powered craft without appropriate personal flotation devices (PFDs)
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Failing to have proof of competency on board
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Operating a vessel without a copy of the licence on board
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Operating a vessel with safety equipment not in good working condition
Michaelis is scheduled to appear in Thunder Bay Court on July 23, 2025.
Impaired Boating: A Dangerous Crime
Operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol or drugs is just as dangerous — and just as illegal — as impaired driving on land. Convictions for impaired operation can result in:
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Fines starting at $1,000
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Licence suspensions
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Jail time for repeat offences
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A criminal record
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Boat impoundments
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Long-term insurance impacts
Protecting Ontario’s Waterways
Both the OPP and MNRF stress the importance of being prepared and informed before heading out on the water.
