BOATER WHO HIT DOCK IN MACTIER FRIDAY NIGHT CHARGED WITH IMPAIRED OPERATION

MACTIER — A late night accident Friday in which a boater collided with a dock has landed the operator with impaired driving charges.

Police say 47-year-old Cameron Raffaele, of Mactier, was charged with impaired operation of a vessel after officers responded to a boating collision in Georgian Bay Township.

On July 19, at 10:30 p.m., police, Muskoka EMS and Georgian Bay Fire Department responded to reports of a boat that hit a floating dock and was circling out of control on Stewart Lake in Georgian Bay Township.

They arrived and commenced an investigation and the operator was safely brought to shore.

Raffaele was assessed by paramedics and released at the scene and the boat was brought under control.

Police have charged Raffaele with the following offences:

  • Operation While Impaired – Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(a)
  • Operating a Boat Underway with Open Container of Liquor
  • Operating Non-Human-Powered Pleasure Craft Without PFD

Raffaele is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on August 27, 2024 to answer to his charges. Vessel operators who are charged with impaired driving offences suffer the same consequence as those operating motor vehicles, including an immediate 90 day driver’s licence suspension.

Police were called out Friday night at 10:30 p.m. to reports of a boat that hit a dock on Stewart Lake in Georgian Bay Township and was spinning around out of control.