Police remove impaired boater from Chestermere Lake

[caption id="attachment_21511" align="alignright" width="300"] Chestermere RCMP are reminding boaters to ensure they have all their safety equipment and not to consume alcohol while operating a boat this summer after police removed an impaired boater from the lake June 8. Photo by Jeremy Broadfield[/caption]

A Calgary man is facing impaired boating charges after police found him to be over the legal limit while conducting routine safety patrols on the lake June 8.

At about 7:30 p.m. Chestermere RCMP were conducting a safety patrol of Chestermere Lake when they came across a boat operated by a lone male who was operating his boat at high speeds in proximity to other boaters.

Police stopped the boat to conduct a safety inspection and discovered that the operator had been consuming alcohol.

Further investigation revealed the operator, a 37-year-old male from Calgary to be impaired.

Police subsequently removed the man and his boat from the lake.

Once ashore, RCMP obtained breath sample from the man which confirmed that his blood alcohol level was in excess of the legal limit.

The boat operator has been charged with Impaired Operation of a Vessel, and Operation of a Vessel while over .08 and will appear in in Strathmore Provincial Court to face the charges.

Chestermere RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sgt. Mark Wielgosz said in a press release that police are committed to boater safety in the city.

With this in mind, police safety patrols will continue throughout the summer.

These patrols will be focusing on educating users of Chestermere Lake on water safety and to ensure that all water craft have the required safety equipment.

Police will also be removing dangerous boaters from the lake.

Police encourage both Chestermere residents and visitors to the Lake to report unsafe watercraft by either calling 911 for an emergency, or the RCMP non-emergency complaint line at 403-204-8900.