Drinking in Ontario! *yks
The new law applies to motorized vessels only. If you don't have a motor then the new doesn't apply; sailboats without motors, wind surfers, kayaks, canoe; etc. Ontario has the most restrictive laws against drinking on the water. Ontario Liquor Licence Act: Conveying Liguor In A Boat "Sec.32(3) No person shall operate or have care or control of a boat that is underway while there is contained in the boat any liquor, except under the authority of a license or permit." "Sec.32(4) Exception - Subsection (3) does not apply if the liquor in the boat (a) is in a container that is unopened and the seal unbroken or (b) is stored in a closed compartment." "It is illegal to transport beverage alcohol in a boat unless the beverage alcohol is in a container that is unopened and the seal unbroken, or unless the beverage alcohol is packaged in baggage that is fastened closed or is not otherwise readily available to anyone in the vehicle. In a boat, the beverage alcohol must be stored in a closed compartment." You can have a six-pack of beer in the cooler if the cans aren't open. If you have a bottle of whiskey or bottles of wine with the seal broken you have to have it stored in a closed compartment. "Sec.32(5) A police officer who has reasonable grounds to believe that liquor is being unlawfully kept in a vehicle or boat may at any time, without warrant, enter and search the vehicle or boat and search any person found in it." Don't wave at the Mounties holding a beverage while underway; it could look like you might be drinking an alcoholic beverage and he can stop and search your vessel. Ontario Liguor Licence Act Regulation 718: Consuming Liguor in a Boat: "Sec.3(7) A boat with permanent sleeping accommodations and permanent cooking and sanitary facilities, other than a boat used to carry passengers for hire, is considered to be a private place while the boat is at anchor or is secured to the dock or land." Your vessel must have a sleeping cabin, head, and galley. A sleeping bag, porta-potty and camping stove on an 18 foot Boston Whaler doesn't qualify. Drinking in public: "...in Ontario, you must not "display alcohol to the public", whatever that means. If you are fastened to a dock, you should check with the marina to see if it's a "private club" or public place. Or just steam off the labels before you carry wine to a picnic table. In parks, even that will get you into trouble..." You can drink on your boat while at the marina if the marina isn't open to the public. If it's a public marina or if you are at anchor, you either have to drink in the cabin away from the public or drink out of a paper bag or remove the labels. Fair Winds Clyde
