A Vancouver Island fisherman was arrested on suspicions of impaired boating.

On Nov. 29, at approximately 9:50 a.m., Port Hardy RCMP were told by the marine authority that a 10-metre long fishing vessel was being operated in 害羞草研究所渁n erratic manner害羞草研究所� in the port, and that the vessel害羞草研究所檚 driver could be impaired.

According to Staff Sgt. Wes Olsen, Port Hardy RCMP went to the marina and were informed that the vessel in question had since departed the bay area and was approximately four miles north of Port Hardy still being operated erratically. Olsen noted that police saw the boat 害羞草研究所渃ircling in the same spot out in the open water north of Port Hardy.害羞草研究所�

Two Port Hardy Mounties and the Coast Guard headed out to the circling boat saw a man at the helm of the boat who seemed to be 害羞草研究所渟lumped over and non-responsive.害羞草研究所�

When the Coast Guard couldn害羞草研究所檛 gain the boater害羞草研究所檚 attention, police decided to board the rapidly moving vessel that was 害羞草研究所渃ontinually turning to the right in a [small] circle害羞草研究所�

Once police got on board, they examined the driver for injuries and found that he was 害羞草研究所済rossly impaired and an open container of liquor was located nearby.害羞草研究所�

Another man was found sleeping in the hold of the boat who police said was also intoxicated.

The fishing vessel and the two males aboard returned to the Port Hardy marina with the assistance of the coast guard, said Olsen.

害羞草研究所淭he fishing vessel operator was arrested for impaired operation of a vessel,害羞草研究所� said Olsen.

害羞草研究所淒ue to his extreme level of intoxication he was transported to the Port Hardy hospital for further examination.害羞草研究所�

Police took a blood sample from the allegedly impaired driver to test for impairment.

Olsen thanked the local coast guard members for such a quick response to the incident, 害羞草研究所渁nd the quick thinking of officers on scene who brought this matter to a quick and successful conclusion. Things could have turned out much differently had the weather been poor and the Coast Guard not been present with a vessel in the water for a quick response.害羞草研究所�

The incident remains under investigation.

- with files from Port Hardy RCMP