S.A.B.A. Promoting Marine Safety and Compliance Across Canada Combating Illegal Charter Operations
S.A.B.A. Responds to Toronto Star Article: Illegal Yacht Charters Are Not a “Grey Area” — They Are Deadly and Unlawful
Toronto, ON – The Safety Awareness Boating Alliance (S.A.B.A.) is issuing this statement in response to the Toronto Star article published on August 27, 2025 (“His family is suing after he died falling from a yacht”). While the article highlights the tragic death of Abeeku Arhin, it misrepresents the broader issue by portraying it as a dispute between harbour users, when in reality it was a preventable death caused by an illegal yacht operator.
By framing this as a clash between “licensed operators” and “entrepreneurial yacht owners,” the article creates a false equivalency. Licensed operators undergo rigorous Transport Canada inspections, adhere to strict passenger limits, and employ certified crew trained in safety and emergency procedures. Illegal operators, by contrast, bypass inspections, overcrowd vessels, disregard safety requirements, and deceive the public into believing their operations are legitimate. These are not competing business models, they are lawful operators versus reckless and unlawful actors.
Facts the Public Must Know:
The vessel involved in Arhin’s death was uncertified, overcrowded, and operating illegally.
Life jackets and safety equipment were inadequate, railing heights failed to meet Transport Canada’s commercial standards, and witnesses confirm the vessel Mr. Thomson was operating carried only two life jackets.
Transport Canada has already levied $21,000 in penalties and confirmed violations of the Canada Shipping Act against this operator.
Witness statements further confirm the operator was charging $150 per additional passenger and, in some cases, soliciting illicit drugs in exchange for charter services.
The vessel itself had been stolen from its rightful owner, who was not aware that Mr. Thomson was taking out his boat for any purpose.
Illegal charters are not comparable to Uber or Airbnb. On land, a stalled car may cause inconvenience; on the water, one missing life jacket or one overloaded vessel can mean death. Suggesting otherwise minimizes the risks and obscures the truth.
Misrepresentation of “Captain” Rony Nardeo
It is factually incorrect and misleading to refer to Rony, the operator involved, as a “Captain.” A true captain must hold Transport Canada–recognized credentials such as a Master 60-ton limited license, backed by verifiable commercial sea service time and demonstrated competency in a professional environment where a chain of command exists and certified crew members are required. Rony holds none of these qualifications. At most, he may possess a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, which requires only a short online course. Referring to him as “Captain” falsely conveys authority, legitimacy, and knowledge that he does not possess. The accurate terms are “Operator” or “Skipper.”
The Full Truth of Events
S.A.B.A. has clear evidence that after the passenger fell and was injured, Rony and his crew fled the scene, leaving S.A.B.A.’s team to call EMS. Our security officer was assaulted by one of Rony’s passengers, an incident captured on body-camera footage. In addition, new video evidence indicates that the injured individual was already unconscious when carried to the dock and was then dropped by an intoxicated passenger attempting to climb the closed gates, worsening the injury.
Media Responsibility
Illegal yacht charters are unsafe, unlawful, and have already cost lives in Toronto Harbour. Providing platforms for illegal operators without presenting the full truth risks normalizing reckless behaviour that endangers the public. S.A.B.A. calls on media outlets, including the Toronto Star, to ensure accurate and complete reporting that reflects the seriousness of these risks.
S.A.B.A. exists precisely because tragedies like Arhin’s death were foreseeable. Our mandate is to protect the public, hold illegal operators accountable, and advocate for enforcement that prevents further loss of life.
Contact:
Safety Awareness Boating Alliance (S.A.B.A.)
www.saba.ngo
safety@saba.ngo
