A 58-year-old man from Mattawa is facing impaired operation charges after a boating collision on the Mattawa River over the weekend. Ontario Provincial Police responded to the incident at about 11:15 a.m. on Aug. 15, following a report of a pontoon boat that had collided with a dock on Timmins Street in Mattawa. “Police attended and after speaking with the operator of the vessel, officers established grounds to believe they had been consuming alcohol,” OPP said in a news release. The accused was arrested and transported to the Mattawa OPP detachment for further testing. As a result of the investigation, the Mattawa man has been charged with two impaired operation offences – including operation with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in North Bay on Sept. 15. Public safety reminder from police Provincial police used the incident to reminder boaters that impaired operation laws still apply in the water. “OPP reminds the public that impaired operation laws apply to all conveyances, including boats,” said police. OPP said alcohol and drug impairment continue to be leading factors in serious injuries and deaths on Ontario waterways. “Boaters are encouraged to plan ahead and ensure a sober operator is at the helm,” said police. “If you suspect an impaired driver or boater, call 911 immediately,” added OPP Const. Kyler Brouwer.
