Tourists had to scramble out of the way last night when a Penticton man drove his motor boat right up onto a city pier, leaving it perched high and dry on the railings.


RCMP say several people were enjoying a stroll city's Rotary Park pedestrian pier on Tuesday around 10:30 p.m. PT when they spotted the 28-foot day cruiser headed towards them.


As they jumped out of the way, the boat ran it up and over the end of the pier, and ended up lodged between the railings.


Police say the driver of the boat, a 45-year-old Penticton man, was asked to give a breath sample at the scene, and then a second sample down at the RCMP detachment.


Investigators are continuing their investigation with the possibility of a charge of unsafe or dangerous operation of a vessel being considered.Investigators are continuing their investigation with the possibility of a charge of unsafe or dangerous operation of a vessel being considered. (RCMP)

"The second set of breath samples indicated that the man’s blood alcohol levels were at the cusp of being just over or under the legal limit," said a statement issued by Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.


The only person injured was the passenger on the boat, a 43-year-old woman, who suffered a small cut to the side of her face.


Investigators are continuing their investigation and a charge of unsafe or dangerous operation of a vessel is being considered, said police.


“It certain is a pretty jarring visual reminder for all boaters to operate their boats in a safe manner and to ensure they are familiar with their surroundings while under way."


We are very fortunate that by a stroke of luck that nobody was seriously hurt or killed," said Moskaluk.