Boozy kayaker rescued, charged after returning positive reading

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Michael Warren

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Police have rescued, charged a kayaker who was located under the influence. Picture: QPS

A man who required rescuing after falling into water while allegedly operating a kayak under the influence of alcohol will face a Cairns court in the coming days.

Police confirmed they charged the 40-year-old Manoora man after the alleged drink driving of a vessel incident at Cairns Harbour in the Trinity Inlet on September 13.

Police said onlookers told them the man had fallen from the kayak and seemed to have trouble getting back inside.

Moments earlier, around 12pm he was allegedly viewed operating the 3-metre kayak in “an erratic and dangerous manner”.

Cairns Water Police officers located and arrested the man and he was transported to the Cairns Police Station for a breath test where he allegedly returned a positive reading of 0.241.

The man’s driver licence was immediately suspended, and he was charged with one count of driving a vessel whilst under the influence of liquor (UIL). He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on September 22.

Cairns Water Police Officer in Charge and Sergeant Andrew Ibell reminded the public about safe water behaviour.

“These types of incidents are a good reminder that anyone operating any type of watercraft must be under the legal alcohol limit,” he said.

“Had it not been for the intervention of Ports North staff members, it is likely that this event would have resulted in the loss of life.”

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