A Vancouver Island fisherman was arrested on suspicions of impaired boating.
On Nov. 29, at approximately 9:50 a.m., Port Hardy RCMP were told by the marine authority that a 10-metre long fishing vessel was being operated in 91Ƶan erratic manner91Ƶ in the port, and that the vessel91Ƶs driver could be impaired.
According to Staff Sgt. Wes Olsen, Port Hardy RCMP went to the marina and were informed that the vessel in question had since departed the bay area and was approximately four miles north of Port Hardy still being operated erratically. Olsen noted that police saw the boat 91Ƶcircling in the same spot out in the open water north of Port Hardy.91Ƶ
Two Port Hardy Mounties and the Coast Guard headed out to the circling boat saw a man at the helm of the boat who seemed to be 91Ƶslumped over and non-responsive.91Ƶ
When the Coast Guard couldn91Ƶt gain the boater91Ƶs attention, police decided to board the rapidly moving vessel that was 91Ƶcontinually turning to the right in a [small] circle91Ƶ
Once police got on board, they examined the driver for injuries and found that he was 91Ƶgrossly impaired and an open container of liquor was located nearby.91Ƶ
Another man was found sleeping in the hold of the boat who police said was also intoxicated.
The fishing vessel and the two males aboard returned to the Port Hardy marina with the assistance of the coast guard, said Olsen.
91ƵThe fishing vessel operator was arrested for impaired operation of a vessel,91Ƶ said Olsen.
91ƵDue to his extreme level of intoxication he was transported to the Port Hardy hospital for further examination.91Ƶ
Police took a blood sample from the allegedly impaired driver to test for impairment.
Olsen thanked the local coast guard members for such a quick response to the incident, 91Ƶand the quick thinking of officers on scene who brought this matter to a quick and successful conclusion. Things could have turned out much differently had the weather been poor and the Coast Guard not been present with a vessel in the water for a quick response.91Ƶ
The incident remains under investigation.
- with files from Port Hardy RCMP