Community Corner

Boating Season is a Good Time to Think Safety

Fourth of July weekend is the height of the summer boating season. Make it the best—and safest—ever.

Everyone talks about the number of Americans who take to the roads on holidays. But around here, we should also consider those who are taking to the Hudson River or Long Island Sound or one of the region’s lakes!

According to the National Maritime Manufacturers Association, July Fourth is America’s biggest boating holiday of the year. A staggering 88 million boaters are estimated to be on the water this summer, the largest number of U.S. adults participating in boating on record.

In the New York metropolitan area alone, the NMMA says, there are more than 300,000 recreational boats.

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“Summer is a peak selling season for recreational boats, accessories and services throughout the U.S. as people look for ways to disconnect from the daily grind and enjoy fun times on the water, “ said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president.

So it’s also a good time to think about boating safety.

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Boating safety education makes all the difference, said Greg Porteus, skipper of Launch 5, a Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel operating in the Hudson River. Launch 5, a restored NYPD patrol launch, is also used for volunteer non-profit environmental, public safety and educational work.

Safety education worked for personal watercraft, Porteus said.

“Years ago PWC/Jet Skis were like a scene out of the film "Wild One" and scared all the boaters and swimmers,” he said. “I had 3 near fatal rescues from PWC incidents and if it were not for Launch 5 crew members Jim Picciano, Wayne Pickhardt, Cliff Forrest and Bill Smith all three incidents would have been fatal, including  three kids under 7 years old due to reckless operation of PWC.”

However, he said, after licensing and mandatory education requirements, things have really changed.

“I never see reckless operation and have not been involved in a PWC rescue in years,” he said. “Education of PWC operators has lead us from irresponsible operation of PWC to responsible safe operation of PWC.”

Two local lawmakers succeeded in getting new boat safety regulations through the New York State Legislature this year, Senators David Carlucci (D-Rockland) and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining).

“Inexperienced and reckless boaters are significant sources of boating accidents and fatalities in New York, especially along the Hudson River and in the Long Island Sound,” said Galef, blogging on Patch.

Their bill (A.3471-A/S.1639-A) requires all mechanically propelled vessel operators to obtain a boating safety certificate by completing an 8-hour safe boating course.  The requirement would be implemented through a multiyear phase-in beginning in 2014 with 18 year olds.  This legislation would help eliminate the dangers of boating often attributed to inexperience by requiring boat operators to take a course and become aware of all safety and legal aspects of operating a boat.

Carlucci called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign the bill into law at a ceremony June 26 renaming the Town of Ossining boat launch ramp in memory of resident Bryan J. Johnson, who died a year ago in a boating accident off City Island.

A banner, and soon a plaque will serve as a constant reminder to all boaters and their passengers of the importance of not only having a skilled person operating the boat but of the safety equipment including life jackets that everyone onboard must be using.  It will also be a tribute to Bryan and his family, said Town Supervisor Sue Donnelly.

A list of boating safety courses around New York state can be found by clicking here.

Here are boating safety tips from DiscoverBoating.com.


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