York Regional Police open new marine unit headquarters in Georgina

The 9-member unit responds to safety and emergency calls on Lake Simcoe and all York Region waterways

Yorkregion.com
October 7, 2020
Debora Kelly

York Regional Police's marine unit will be responding to safety and emergency calls on Lake Simcoe and all York Region waterways from a new headquarters in Georgina.

The nine full-time unit members carry out their duties using several vessels, including the 38-foot long Naawij, christened in 2013 and featuring state-of-the-art electronics and firefighting capabilities, according to a news release.

The 34-foot Waawaatesi, two-ridged hull inflatable Zodiac and two personal watercraft round out the summer fleet.

Over the winter, the unit patrols and responds to emergencies on the ice using snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and a custom 24-foot airboat named Dawaabin, which has a flat, polymer bottom that allows it to travel easily across ice, snow and water.

The unit and all its equipment will be housed at the 8,600-square-feet facility, which includes office space, three boat slips and a storage facility, at Jackson’s Point Harbour.

A mural featuring colourful Indigenous artwork by artist and Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation Councillor Lauri Hoeg adorns the side of the new headquarters.

York Regional Police Staff Sgt. Aaron Busby is the commander of the marine unit, headquartered in a new facility in Jackson's Point.

Speakers at the Oct. 5 opening ceremony included Police Chief Jim MacSween, Police Services Board chair and East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson and regional chair Wayne Emmerson.