Intoxicated Boater Hits Dock

A 36-year-old Leland man was arrested Tuesday after he drunkenly struck a dock with his boat and then passed out with an open bottle of vodka next to him.

Leelanau County Sheriff's Office deputies and Leland Fire and Rescue personnel responded to a call from a resident on East Tamarack Lane at 5:07pm reporting an intoxicated boater. The 911 caller indicated that a vessel had struck their dock and that the boat operator was passed out on the watercraft.

Upon arrival, emergency personnel found the boat driver still passed out on the vessel. The man was woken up and the responding deputy began an investigation. Witnesses stated the 2005 Bennington pontoon boat was seen traveling close to their dock and then striking the dock. The operator of the vessel then laid down on a bench seat and went to sleep. Next to the operator of the vessel was a open bottle of Skyy vodka.

The boat operator was found to have a dangerously high blood alcohol level. He was transported to Munson Hospital for treatment. Once cleared by the hospital, he was arrested for suspicion of operating a watercraft while intoxicated and lodged at the Leelanau County Jail.