Elgin County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is currently investigating the theft of the Elgin OPP Police Boat from Stan’s Marina in Port Stanley, ON. earlier this morning at approximately 2:45am. The vessel was taken from its normal parking slip at Stan’s Marina and driven about 1km out to Port Stanley Harbour on Lake Erie where the boat was set on fire near the West break wall. The 24 foot Sea Swirl Inboard Outboard Police boat was completely destroyed by the fire and its replacement value is estimated at approximately $85 000. Firefighting efforts by Central Elgin Fire were made difficult because of the boats location and access to the area.
Police are continuing to investigate and the Ontario Fire Marshalls Office will be attending.
A temporary replacement police boat is currently being arranged from OPP Headquarters in Orillia.
“In reality an act such as this really jeopardizes the safety of the boating public. It hampers our ability to respond to marine emergencies in a timely fashion out on Lake Erie. Elgin County OPP’s lone vessel was responsible for marine safety, security and rescue operations between Port Glasgow and Port Burwell which is about 70km of shoreline and extends out to the U.S./Canada border on Lake Erie. Normally there are Auxiliary Coast Guard Units based in Port Stanley and Port Burwell, however this boating season that is not the case which leaves the Elgin OPP Marine responsible for all marine emergencies and searches in the area. The nearest Auxiliary Coast Guard Unit would be dispatched out of Long Point area in Norfolk County. Central Elgin Fire has a small vessel which is currently out of service however they are limited to a 1km range from Shore. This is a senseless act which risks the safety of the public and only harms the tax payer.†Stated Constable Troy Carlson – Elgin County OPP Marine Unit Co-coordinator.
Efforts to recover the destroyed vessel are currently in progress.