Boat capsizes in Bradford

The South Simcoe Police Marine Unit were contacted by a boater advising that there were two persons clinging to a capsized boat between Kontiki Marina and the Holland River in Bradford. Police attended the area between Crate's Marina and Kon-Tiki marina and pulled from the water the a/m vessel (which had been patched, in MANY locations, with metal plates and rivets), 2 wooden oars and a styrofoam seat. Police then attended the vessel of a citizen who had pulled the two males from the lake.

The males were taken aboard SSPS Marine 1 (Wardrop) where they advised that they had put the canoe into the water at approximately 1200 hrs. and while paddling, from the area of Chuch Street in Keswick, noticed that the rear portion of the canoe was beginning to fill with water. The two males eventually abandoned the vessel and as they did it capsized. The two males were allegedly in the water for over 1 hour by the time they were pulled out of the busy waterway by a citizen.

Investigation revealed that no lifejackets or PFD's were on board the vessel at the time of their departure or rescue nor was ANY personal safety equipment on board with the only exception being two wooden oars (paddles).

At the time of the call waves were approximately 2'-2.5' high due to high marine traffic volume. Police attempted to communicate to the individuals that the were lucky to be alive given the high volume of vessels in the area. The two Keswick males were charged accordingly and given information on the boating regulations and the waterways act.