(THUNDER BAY, ON) - Throughout this summer, the Northwest Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (T.I.M.E.) team of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), in partnership with Conservation Officers from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), will be conducting joint-enforcement marine patrols. The summer-long operation include mandatory alcohol screening (M.A.S.) and fish inspections on local waterbodies of Thunder Bay, Gorham and Shebandowan, with specific patrols being focused on Dog Lake and Kashabowie Lake.

The goal is to educate both local residents and visiting tourists on the water in regard to boat safety and fishing regulations.

As part of the joint enforcement initiative, officers are noticing a pattern in tickets being issued for:

• Open liquor within a vessel
• Missing vessel safety equipment (Life jackets, flashlights, etc)
• Depositing waste on public lands (Throwing beer cans in the lake)

Additionally, on June 14th during a marine patrol on Kashabowie Lake, one male, Derick MICHAELIS, 44, of Fort Frances, Ontario, was charged with the following offences:

Criminal Code:

• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

Liquor licence act:

• Operating boat underway with open container of liquor

Tobacco Tax act:

• Possess unmarked cigarettes

Canada Shipping act - Small vessel Regulations:

• Operating non-human-powered pleasure craft without personal flotation device or lifejacket of appropriate size for each person on board
• Failure to have proof of competency on board a pleasure craft
• Operating pleasure craft without copy of licence on board
• Operating vessel with safety equipment not in good working order

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on July 23, 2025.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) are dedicated to safeguarding Ontario’s highways, waterways, fisheries and Crown land through collaborative enforcement and conservation efforts.