Pottahawk Pissup problems: Man charged after Sea-Doo hits police boat
Chris Ensing | CBC News | Posted: July 9, 2017 6:34 PM | Last Updated: July 9, 2017
Police also pulled a boat out of the lake that had 14 people on board without safety equipment
It's been a busy day on the water for the Ontario Provincial Police department as thousands of people from across southwestern Ontario hit Lake Erie for the Pottahawk Pissup near Turkey Point.
Police charged one man after he bounced his rented Sea-doo into the side of a police boat several times while pulling up beside their boat.
The man "didn't have any operating skills" or experience, according to OPP Constable Ed Sanchuk.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor.
Sanchuk said that there's close to 4,000 people in the water and more than 1,000 boats in the area for the annual party.
Safety violations
Sanchuk said police pulled another boat out of water after officers found 14 people on the vessel without any safety gear on board.
"It's very disappointing," said Sanchuk, who is patrolling the water with the OPP, RCMP and Candian Coast Guard.
"We do a lot of education leading up to Pottahawk but more importantly as an operator owner of a vessel you should already have that education behind you, knowing what you need to keep people safe on your vessel."
We don't want anyone to pick up hitchhikers because in all essence — they're ultimately responsible for them. - Const. Ed Sanchuck, OPP
Sanchuk said the lack of safety equipment could have gotten someone killed if there was an issue with the boat.
"Let's just have a great time — but let's use some common sense," said Sanchuk.
Early start
Police had already pulled someone out of the water before 11 a.m.
"She was cold and heavily intoxicated," said Sanchuk, adding that police were flagged down by other people who were concerned about her.
He said that the woman did not appear to be suffering from hypothermia.
"A lot of times during the course of this event, we will have people that overindulge and become extremely intoxicated and we bring them back to shore," he told CBC News.
Cold water concerns
Police are also warning people to stay warm with water temperatures in some areas dipping below 20 C.
Water below 21 C is considered cold water that can lower your body temperature and lead to hypothermia, according to the United States Coast Guard.
"There is that potential that people may start suffering from hypothermic conditions," said Sanchuk.
He said one of the main concerns for the emergency personnel patrolling the shore is people hitchhiking to Pottahawk Point.
"We don't want anyone to pick up hitchhikers because in all essence — they're ultimately responsible for them," said Sanchuk.