INNISFIL - The South Simcoe police department’s new boat has already been pressed into duty, but the 32-foot John Graves Simcoe was officially christened with a visit from the lieutenant-governor on Friday.
Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell visited Lefroy Harbour to perform the honours, which was only fitting seeing as the new vessel is named for the first lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada, from 1791 until 1796.
For Dowdeswell, it was her first visit to Innisfil as well as her first boat christening ceremony, which is a long-standing maritime tradition.
A bottle of champagne was uncorked by South Simcoe Police Chief Andrew Fletcher and the lieutenant-governor then poured its contents over the bow.
Dowdeswell said with the summer season approaching and more people spending time on the water, that puts additional stress on local police.
“They need to have the best equipment to do the job, and I’m told that this particular boat is long overdue,” she said. “I’m also delighted, of course, that it’s named after one of my predecessors.”
And with that moniker comes a lot of history. The lake the vessel will be patrolling was renamed in 1793 in memory of Simcoe’s father, Royal Navy Capt. John Simcoe.
“Nowadays, of course, we’re less concerned about invaders from the south, but our waterways and surrounding areas still remain hugely important to us,” Dowdeswell said. “They sustain our life here, as they have for Indigenous people living in this region for countless generations.”
Lake Simcoe includes 118 kilometres of shoreline, making it Ontario’s fourth-largest body of water.
It’s also home to nearly 30 marinas, so the new police boat is expected to see an increased level of action.
“The lake is getting busier and will become even more so with the development of Friday Harbour,” Fletcher said. “There are currently 1,100 marina slips in the Town of Innisfil and the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, with another 1,000 expected when Friday Harbour fully opens.”
The South Simcoe police department covers Innisfil and Bradford West Gwillimbury. The mayors of both towns, Gord Wauchope and Rob Keffer respectively, were on hand for Friday’s ceremony, along with numerous dignitaries.
The John Graves Simcoe, which has responded to 10 calls for service already this season, will be placed into full-time service at the end of next week. It has recently been operating only on weekends.
The John Graves Simcoe will assist with search and rescue, investigating marine collisions and towing vessels in emergency situations.
“When an incident happens on the lake, there are no fire boats or paramedic boats coming to provide support,” Fletcher said. “It is up to our men and women to provide medical support to patients until we can get them to care on shore.”
South Simcoe police Sgt. Dave Phillips said the boat, which cost around $220,000, has twin 200-horsepower Yamaha outboard motors and fully up-to-date electronics, such as a forward-looking infrared radar which was help during night searches.
“Certainly, the additional space brings us additional safety,” Phillips said. “It’s a much better work platform.”
Lake Simcoe is patrolled by Ontario Provincial Police as well as Barrie, Durham Region, South Simcoe and York Region police.
South Simcoe Police and York Regional Police have a shared services agreement to support each other on the water. Combined, they respond to more than 200 calls for service every boating season, Fletcher said.
“We know what this lake is like when it blusters up into a storm and our men and women have to brave the wind and waves to rescue those in peril,” the chief said. “We want to make sure our marine officers are safe.”
The John Graves Simcoe replaces the Wardrop II, a 28-footer which had been in service since 2006.
Longtime Innisfil resident John Wardrop, the former police services board member for whom the Wardrop I and II were named, was presented with the life ring from the police boat, which is being retired.
Police services board chair Rod Hicks said some of the features on the John Graves Simcoe include a davit for removing patients from the water; adequate space to transport patients inside the closed and heated cabin; two outboards and a bow thruster, which will significantly increase maneuverability in adverse weather conditions; and a state-of-the-art wireless communication system
“I’m a boater and know that when the rest of us are rushing to shore to avoid bad weather, our officers are heading out into those dangerous situations,” Hicks said. “Now they’ve got a boat that’s designed to handle the large waves and the power and unpredictability of Lake Simcoe.”
The War of 1812 Redcoats also performed a rifle salute.
