For safety, toughen New York boating laws - Editorial

8/9/13 7:28 AM

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Editorial

Editorial: For safety, toughen New York boating laws

Originally published: May 30, 2013 3:46 PM Updated: May 30, 2013 6:45 PM
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Photo credit: Ed Betz | Coast Guard Officers perform a safety check on a boat near the Jones Beach Inlet neat Freeport, NY (May 27, 2013)

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New York State is buoyed by its waterways: The Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound, Hudson River, Peconic Bay and miles of lakes, rivers and inlets are within reach for just about any type of speedboat, motorboat, fishing boat or sailboat.

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For safety, toughen New York boating laws - Editorial

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We enjoy our coastal living and its vibrant boating culture. Yet despite the best efforts of most seafarers, an afternoon in the sun or evening under the stars can turn tragic faster than a captain tying a bowline knot. National cartoon roundup Several bills pending in the State Legislature could steer us into safer waters.

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CONNECT: Subscribe to our e-mail list | Twitter | Facebook There were 197 boat accidents in New York last year, causing more than $4.7 million in damage. In fact, only two other states -- California and Florida -- had more accidents last year, and only four states had more deaths on the water. In 2012 there were 27 deaths in New York and 651 across the country, according to the Coast Guard. Many accidents are a result of inexperience. Most are preventable. The Coast Guard attributed 86 percent of boating fatalities nationally last year to operators who hadn't taken a safety course. New York doesn't require its boaters to have even the most basic certification from the Coast Guard or U.S. Power Squadrons to operate a

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motorized craft. While many experienced boaters know the dangers of fog, currents,

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OP-ED: Implementation of Common

tides or looming clouds (and may have taken their share of courses), beginners don't have to show they understand rudiments of safety -- such as adhering to passenger limits, using life jackets or understanding the adverse effects of alcohol when hot sun and bobbing waves are mixed with open waters. New York must tighten its rules: It needs tougher "boating while intoxicated" laws, stringent enforcement and BWI checks by police, and certification required by law, particularly for less experienced, and often younger, operators. As it stands, the state doesn't require people 18 or older to demonstrate any competency to operate a boat (the law does require certification for those ages 10-17 who aren't with an adult). The state should join its neighbors in New Jersey, Connecticut and dozens of other states that require certification for people operating motorized boats. And anyone operating under the influence should know they not only jeopardize their safety, but face steep penalties and repercussions. Several bills floating around in the State Legislature would require certification. While they vary, each includes a public awareness component and would be phased in over time. But the important takeaway is that novices need instruction and awareness. Even experienced boaters could use a refresher -- or at least be required to pass a certification test free of any classes. Common sense, experience and an understanding of the complexities of the water are essential for any pleasure cruiser -- and many boaters, including those who have passed down the tradition for generations, know this. Tightening up regulations would go a long way toward making our waters safer for all. Be the first to rate:
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For safety, toughen New York boating laws - Editorial

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As a licensed Captain I have found the biggest problem is stupidity on the part of the public: speeding in unsafe conditions, boat lighting at night, rules of the road, loading, right of way, distractions, intoxication, etc. Until there's a shift in public behavior, no amount of laws or fines will help.
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Frank Castle

shrubs 2 months ago

"licensed Captain" of what? The Polish Navy? Did you take the test at the storefront in Lindenhurst? My neighbor's kid passed the USCG test first time and he's just 18.

csqueri

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2 months ago

To say that NY has the 5th highest fataities is misleading. You need to look at the fatality rate per 100,000 registrations. NJ and CT have safe boating requirements - we are better than one of them and slightly below the other. Both tragic accidents last summer would not have been prevented with this law. One accident had safety certificate holders on board and the other was BWI. In addition, approximately half of the fatalities in NY every year occur on nonmotorized, non-registered crafts such as canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, rowboats, etc. These bills would do nothing to address these crafts. If you look at the NYS Boating Statistics, you can look in detail at every fatality. After the non motorized crafts, most of these fatalities are BWI, swimming off boats, people drowning at the dock while the boat is tied up, people falling overboard - unfortunate but real accidents that will occur regardless of safe boating requirements. From 1980 to 2011, NY's boatng fatality rate has dropped
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For safety, toughen New York boating laws - Editorial

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about 75% while boating registartaions increased 50%. These are real numbers provided by NYS. That was done without mandating safe boating classes. What are we really accomplishing with these bills? Are we doing this just to appear good? The NY marine industry has supported many pieces of solid proactive legislation in the past, including strengthening BWI laws, lifejacket requirements in winter months and PWC legislation. The safe boating bills come at a time when everyone is recovering from back to back storms and a recession. These bills would add another burden to the boating public with no proof of solving the problems.

Kraut58

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2 months ago

Sure! Why not! Look how safe we are with all of those 'tough' laws about not using a cell phone while your driving, or texting while your driving. These cut accidents down a 1000% on our streets and highways. Then whats next? 'Tough' laws banning pedestrians from talking on cell phones or texting while walking??
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ave50

Kraut58 2 months ago

No talking on a cell phone when driving a boat it's coming

Jettech

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2 months ago

Raise taxes for boating!

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qauthority

2 months ago

The fact that 86 percent of boating fatalities involved operators who hadn't taken a safety course doesn't mean there'd be 86 percent less fatalities if they all had. As someone who has been operating boats for decades, I can tell you that there's a lot of stupid things I've seen people do over the years, but the number one difference is that you have a lot more larger boats capable of travelling at much greater speeds than was the case 30 years ago. In congested waterways, where other boats are travelling, and where there are also bridges, that can be a lethal factor. You're not going to solve this with some kind of ridiculous course, or more inspections or public service announcements from the Coast Guard. What you do need is better enforcement of the laws that already exist.
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2 months ago

I say let Darwinism play itself out...

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majortom1981

2 months ago

As somebody who has an application in with the coast guard auxiliary, the coast guard needs to be funded first. They keep giving the coast guard more to do and keep taking away their funding. IF more laws go into place more funding has to be given to the coast guard first.

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