Boater charged with operating while banned in Pickering

A Toronto man faces several charges after he was allegedly caught operating a boat in Pickering while under a Canada-wide driving ban.

Durham Police were called to Rouge Park Bayon the Pickering-Scarborough border shortly after 8 p.m. on Aug. 23. Reports described a boat had lost power and was stranded in the water.

A Marine Unit vessel soon reached the stranded boat and pulled eight people, including the driver, to shore. When they inspected the driver’s ID, the officers learned the man was prohibited from operating any vehicle Canada-wide under the Criminal Code.

When one is prohibited from driving in Canada, the ban applies to all sorts of vehicles beyond cars including; boats, planes, tractors, motorcycles and construction equipment.

The officers arrested Shanthakumar Kandiah, 58 of Toronto, on multiple counts including;

• operating a conveyance while prohibited,
• operating a boat with safety equipment in poor condition,
• operating a powered boat without visual signals on board, and
• operating a boat without firefighting equipment on board

He has since been released with conditions. Anyone with information can call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2906 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).