A man about to head out into Nanaimo's waters has been detained on suspicion of being impaired.
RCMP members with the West Coast Marine Section were about to launch their boat at about 9 a.m. this morning when they were approached by witnesses who indicated they thought a man who had been backing his boat trailer into the water, may have been drinking, said a Nanaimo RCMP press release.
When officers approached the man, it was evident he had been drinking, police said, Based on their observations and witness statements, the driver was detained and taken to the Nanaimo RCMP detachment.
After tests results showed he was more than two times over the legal limit, police have recommended charges of impaired driving against a 31-year-old Nanaimo resident.
With the Marine Festival this weekend, Nanaimo RCMP are reminding boaters to operate their vessels safely.
Operating a boat while impaired is a criminal offence and there will be increased RCMP patrols of the harbour and area this weekend.