A 35-year-old Wallaceburg man is facing charges after a near drowning in Ecarte Channel.
Chatham-Kent OPP say early Thursday morning, members of the Walpole Island First Nation Police, Chatham-Kent Police Service and Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services responded to a near drowning complaint.
Through investigation, it was revealed that the previous evening, officers say two men allegedly spent the day drinking alcoholic beverages and decided to go boating, without wearing life jackets. Later in the evening, police say one of the men fell into the water and the other man went in to save him. Officers say the boat continued to drift in the channel and became lost.
They say both men made it to shore where they waited until morning to be rescued.
The man was taken to hospital with serious injuries but has since been released.
The boat owner has been charged with operator of a pleasure craft failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure safety of craft and persons on board, contrary to the Canada Shipping Act 2001 – Small Vessel Regulations 201.
OPP are reminding all boaters to be safe while out on the water, and to have all of the following on board:
• Canadian-approved flotation device or lifejacket of appropriate size for each passenger on board
• Buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres in length
• Watertight flashlight OR Canadian approved flares – Type A,B or C
• Sound-signaling device
• Manual propelling device (i.e. paddle) OR an anchor with at least 15 metres of rope, chain or cable
• Bailer OR manual water pump
• Class 5 BC fire extinguisher
