(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
June 30, 2020 - 8:19 AM
A 46-year-old boater, with a blood alcohol level allegedly two times the legal limit, could face charges of criminal impaired operation of a vessel after an allegedly reckless spin around Okanagan Lake.
“The RCMP would like to remind the public that drinking and driving, whether on land or water, is illegal and punishable under the Criminal Code,” Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy said in a press release. “Police urge the public to report suspected impaired drivers both on and off the water.”
Mounties received complaints yesterday, June 29, just before 6 p.m. about a boat on Okanagan Lake that had recently left a marina on Water Street.
It was reportedly being operated in an erratic and dangerous manner, nearly striking another boat and a kayaker, Noseworthy said.
The Kelowna Fire Department launched their vessel in order to transport West Kelowna RCMP frontline officers onto the water and the boat was located near Kin Beach.
During police interactions with the operator at the scene, the investigator detected signs of impairment and provided the boater with a demand for a sample of his breath. The man was transported off the water and taken back to the detachment for a breath test.
The 46-year-old Kelowna man provided two breath samples, both of which were more than the legal limit. He now faces potential charges of impaired operation of a vessel and was released from custody for a future court date.
The boat was impounded.
The circumstances will be forwarded to the B.C. Prosecution Service for their review and charge approval.
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