Police issue more than 50 tickets, city lays bylaw charges in Project S.A.R. crackdown on illegal personal watercraft rentals
Toronto police have released the results of crackdown on illegal personal watercraft (jet ski) rentals and unsafe boating practices on the city’s waterfront that took place last week.
In particular, the focus was put on the Woodbine Beach and Ashbridges Bay area as officers from the Toronto police Marine Unit and 55 Division (which covers the Eastern Beaches including Woodbine), along with City of Toronto bylaw officers, parking enforcement officers, parks staff and private towing partners took part in the crackdown.
In a news release on Tuesday, July 14, Toronto police said Project S.A.R (Sea Doos and Rentals) took place from Wednesday, July 9, to Saturday, July 12.
Project S.A.R. “focused on addressing the growing number of unlicensed personal PWC rental operations and associated safety risks.”
As a result of Project S.A.R., police said the following actions were taken:
- 50+ provincial offence tickets issued (over $12,000 in fines) under the Canada Shipping Act, Small Vessel Regulations, primarily for safety equipment violations and licensing issues.
- 49 vessel safety inspections conducted.
- 20+ bylaw charges laid (over $5,000 in fines), including illegal mooring and unauthorized business operations in parkland.
- 14 Sea-Doos towed.
- 1 “Jet Car” towed.
- 4 vehicles and 8 trailers towed.
- 4 parking tickets issued.
“Each summer, the Marine Unit responds to as many as 10 complaints a day related to PWCs – most often involving speeding, operating too close to shorelines, entering designated swim zones, and generally unsafe behaviour. Many of these complaints involve inexperienced operators who have received little or no training prior to getting on the water,” said police in Tuesday’s news release.
“The Marine Unit continues to work closely with Transport Canada, Ports Toronto, City Bylaw Officers, Municipal Licensing & Standards, Toronto Parks, Parking Enforcement, and Green P to pursue both immediate enforcement and long-term regulatory solutions.”
Last week, Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford vowed the city would be taking action against the renting of the jet skis by unlicensed operators and the dangerous operation of the personal watercraft by those using them.
Beach Metro Community News also reported on the issue last week.
