Thousands of people are on the water today near Pottahawk Point for the annual Pottahawk boat party on Lake Erie. The OPP are closely monitoring the event known as Canada’s biggest boat party, which takes place the second Sunday of July every year. Police say that emergency services respond to numerous injuries and impaired boaters each year.

Constable Edward Sanchuk from the Norfolk County OPP detachment says the crowd is “very well behaved” this year. He reports that attendance is down, with about 1,600 boats and 6,000 people at the event. As many as 10,000 people were expected.

So far, one woman has been arrested for public intoxication, and two men taken to hospital for treatment related to alcohol, sun exposure or other medical distress. The majority of the incidents investigated involve alcohol and in some instances, people left stranded without a ride back to shore.

Officers in uniform and plain clothes will be at marinas working with marina owners to ensure public safety both on and off the water and enforcing necessary laws. Police will also be conducting random vessels checks throughout the day checking for sobriety and to ensure that all safety equipment is onboard.