The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst all May for the organization’s annual marine training program.
Sgt. Dave Moffatt, provincial marine and all-terrain vehicle coordinator with the OPP’s Highway Safety Division, says officers from all over Ontario will be doing two separate two-week courses. The first starts on May 6 with the other beginning on May 20. Moffatt says the training will be done Monday to Friday with night-time courses happening on May 13, 15, 27, and 29.
The annual training is part of a five-year agreement between the OPP and the town. The Residence Inn on Steamship Bay Rd. serves as the OPP’s base of operations with the boats parked at the nearby dock.
“The Town of Gravenhurst welcomes OPP officers to the community as they participate in marine training at Muskoka Wharf,” says Mayor of Gravenhurst Heidi Lorenz. “We are happy to work with police to facilitate these important learning opportunities.”
Moffatt explains the OPP is a recognized institution by Transport Canada, which allows them to offer the course to officers.
“We do sometimes get complaints but the important thing to remember for the public is that Lake Muskoka is probably one of the best locations, it is the best location in the province, that we can use,” he says, asking for patience while the training is ongoing.
According to Moffatt, what makes Lake Muskoka ideal is that it provides them more protection from potential rough weather, unlike Lake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching, or Georgian Bay. He adds it also has plenty of navigational challenges. “A huge piece to being a good operator is being a good navigator,” he says.
Moffatt estimates there could be as many as 16 OPP-branded boats on the lake during the day. “We do use the whole lake,” he continues. “You will see right from Gravenhurst all the way over to Bala and Bracebridge.”
He asks for everyone to be patient and respectful. “Like any other day, please come and talk to us,” adds Moffatt. “We’d love to talk to you and see you.”
However, he says to use common sense when thinking about stopping an officer who may be training, adding, above all else, they’re still police officers and will stop you on water or land if you’re doing something you shouldn’t be.