'Someone's gonna get killed': Windsor Port Authority reminds boaters to get out of the way
Warm weather is luring hundreds of anglers to the Detroit River daily this week as officials on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border remind boaters and those on other recreational vessels to move out of the way of large commercial ships.
The Windsor Port Authority is readying to issue fines after months of educational awareness in light of a busy season last year.
“We do have a major problem,” said Peter Berry, harbourmaster with the port authority.“It's great that we have this wonderful weather, people are getting out fishing using the river, but they have to understand they've got to give way to commercial traffic,” he added.
Berry added three near misses occurred during Monday’s total solar eclipse.
“The eclipse definitely did cause additional traffic and we were watching people on the cameras, seeing them staring up looking at it but drifting out in the middle of the river out to the lake in the way of these vessels. Yesterday we had three vessels call to the Coast Guard and said, ‘I need help I can't get through there,’” he explained.
Berry told CTV News Windsor a navigational warning emergency notice was issued during the weekend, and that several captains were sounding their horns with five rapid blasts to indicate boaters were in the way.
“These lakers that are coming through here are a vital part of the economy and these fishermen for the most part who are refusing get out of the way or not paying attention are creating a significant hazard which could affect our economy,” he said. “It's definitely a safety issue.”
Recreational boats are seen on the Detroit River in Windsor, Ont. on April 9, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
Berry continued, “You got to think of the fact that the navigation channel is only as wide as really the 401. There's not a lot of space to play with. So when you're in a fishing boat with your ear buds and you don't hear that laker coming, that laker can't stop for over a kilometer.
Officials are also encountering fishermen who are getting out of the way, but only by about 20 or 30 feet from the hull of large vessels, with Berry noting the undersection off the bow could very easily pull them back underneath the big ships.
“We've given the warnings over the years. Now we're going to start ticketing,” he said.
According to Berry tickets range from $500 to $5,000, and if there's significant damage, penalties could go up to $50,000.
“We'd like to see the fishermen coming out here and enjoy their time,” said Berry. “Just get out of the way of the commercial vessels. Give them lots of space. Don't wait [until] the last two minutes before the ship gets there and get well out of the way.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Group tied to Islamic State plotted fatal Ontario restaurant shooting: Crown
A gunman who is accused of killing a young Ontario man and shooting four of his family members at their small Mississauga restaurant in 2021 was allegedly part of a trio who had pledged allegiance to the listed terrorist group Islamic State, a Crown attorney said in an opening statement in the Brampton murder trial this week.
Board orders deportation for trucker in horrific Humboldt Broncos crash
The truck driver who caused the horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team has been ordered to be deported.
'We recognize there's more to do': Trudeau responds to U.S. senators' defence spending letter
Stopping short of offering the assurance U.S. senators are seeking, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is aware there's more work to do in order to see Canada meet NATO's defence spending target.
Italian teenage computer wizard set to become the first saint of the millennial generation
Pope Francis paved the way for the canonization of the first saint of the millennial generation on Thursday, attributing a second miracle to a 15-year-old Italian computer whiz who died of leukemia in 2006.
Top Russian military officials are being arrested. Why is it happening?
It began last month with the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister. Then the head of the ministry’s personnel directorate was hauled into court. This week, two more senior military officials were detained. All face charges of corruption, which they have denied.
'A really bad car crash': Why health experts are raising concerns over surging syphilis cases
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that was once thought to be a thing of the past is now a public health priority for North American doctors.
Morgan Spurlock, Oscar-nominated director of 'Super Size Me,' dies at 53
Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, an Oscar-nominee who made food and American diets his life's work, famously eating only at McDonald's for a month to illustrate the dangers of a fast-food diet, has died. He was 53.
Milk sold in Canadian grocery stores tested for avian influenza; results released
As avian flu spreads south of the border, Canadian officials are now testing samples of milk sold in grocery stores across the country.
Leaving time on the table: Surveys show unused paid vacation, 'quiet vacationing'
'Quiet vacationing' is the latest new term to describe the rough edges of office culture, and survey data shows it's widespread among North American workers.