NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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GEORGIAN BAY TOWNSHIP, ON - Members of the marine patrol attached to the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched at 7:31 p.m., July 5, 2018, to a report of an overdue vessel from its home port of Port McNicoll in Tay Township.
Due to the high winds and heavy rain conditions, the 32-foot OPP patrol vessel Thomas P. Coffin along with the 24-foot Boston Whaler OPP patrol vessel were joined by the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol vessel Thunder Spirit and the Canadian Coast Guard rescue vessel Rescue 1000, who were dispatched and assigned a search area by the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) out of Trenton, Ont.
The vessels searched an area from Port McNicoll to Midland Point and over to Beausoleil Island before confirming the location of the 26-foot sailing vessel and its lone crew member safe and secure in Oak Bay in Georgian Bay Township at 11:12 p.m., July 5, 2018.
Members of the OPP Marine Unit and The Canadian Coast Guard remind vessel operators to always talk to family members of their navigation plan and check all communication devices prior to heading out on the water.
Please view this link for more safety information.
Police remind marine operators that an essential part of marine policing is to save lives and reduce injuries on our waterways. Educating the public about safe operating practices is a priority.
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