Boats & Booze

Written by Glen Morrison Friday, 03 July 2009 15:24

RCMP found out many boaters like their booze while out for a day on Kalamalka Lake.

The Mounties patrolled the lake for five hours on Canada Day.

Detachment spokesman Gord Molendyk (pictured) says twenty boats were checked and only about one quarter of the operators were in compliance with the regulations.

One of the concerns was the amount of liquor being consumed by people in their boats.

Two tickets were issued for public consumption, and a quantity of booze was seized from several boats.

The police remind people it's an offence to operate a vessel impaired,  just as it is a vehicle.

Several other tickets were issued, including failure to have proper safety gear,  and no valid operator's certificate.

Two people died earlier this summer in North Okanagan boating tragedies and Molendyk reminds boaters to use their safety equipment and operate in a responsible manner.