THUNDER BAY, ON — All summer, the OPP’s Northwest Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (T.I.M.E.) Team and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Conservation Officers have been running joint marine patrols on local lakes.

The operation includes Mandatory Alcohol Screening (M.A.S.) for boaters and fish inspections, with a focus on waters around Thunder Bay, Gorham, and Shebandowan—notably Dog Lake and Kashabowie Lake.

Between August 9 and 10, 2025, patrols on Shebandowan Lake, Two Island Lake, Surprise Lake, and One Island Lake found numerous violations. Officers say they are seeing repeated issues, including:

• Open liquor on vessels

• Cannabis readily available

• Missing safety gear (lifejackets, flashlights, etc.)

• Littering on public lands (e.g., beer cans thrown into lakes)

Impaired Boating Charge

On August 9, 2025, at about 7:05 p.m. on Shebandowan Lake, officers stopped a vessel to check safety equipment and sobriety. Following tests, Joshua SEREDA, 36, of Neebing, was charged with:

• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs

The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on September 10, 2025.

All accused are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Safety First on the Water

The OPP and MNRF say the goal is education and safety—know the boating rules, carry required gear, keep alcohol sealed and out of reach, and pack out your garbage. These joint patrols will continue to safeguard Ontario’s waterways, fisheries, Crown land, and the people who use them.