Man charged with impaired operation of a paddle boat

OPP NEWS RELEASE

****************************** OPP Stop Impaired Boater

SAULT STE. MARIE - On the 7th August 2011 at 8:36 p.m. OPP Officers were conducting marine patrol on Upper Island, north of Sault Ste Marie.

Officers stopped a paddle boat being operated by a lone male.

Officers discovered the male did not have a lifejacket on board and no safety equipment for the vessel.

The male also had open liquor in the paddle boat.

The male exhibited signs of impairment by alcohol.

The male was arrested for impaired operation of a vessel.

Breath tests resulted in readings over the legal limit.

Julien George Zalewa(57) of Aweres Township is charged with impaired operation of a vessel, operating a vessel with over 80mgs of alcohol, as well as a Canada Shipping Act offence.

The public is reminded that the Impaired Operation sections of the Criminal Code apply to smaller muscular powered vessels as well as larger motor and wind powered vessels.

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