A 23-year-old Nanaimo man was arrested for impaired boating off the waters of Swy-a-lana Lagoon Saturday.
The boat, carrying six people, was stopped by an RCMP zodiac in a restricted area at 10:30 p.m. during Nanaimo Marine Festival’s fireworks show.
The driver was given a breathalyser test and blew .18, more than twice B.C.’s .08 legal limit.
Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said none of the remaining passengers were sober enough to operate the boat so it was towed to the Nanaimo Boat Basin.
The driver was taken to the Nanaimo RCMP detachment and later released on a promise to appear in court Oct. 18. Police are recommending a charge of impaired operation of a motor vessel.
“This is the first impaired boating charge since police started water patrols this summer and unfortunately we expect more,” said O’Brien. “We hope word gets out that we’re on the water and the boating public will act responsibly.”