To the Editor:

Over the fourth of July holiday weekend, many of you might have had the opportunity to enjoy one of the North Country’s numerous waterways. The fourth of July often marks the unofficial start of the summer boating season here in Northern New York, so I want to take this opportunity to remind my constituents about boater safety and marine laws.

In order to operate a boat in New York state without adult supervision, boaters must be 18 years of age or older, or have successfully completed a boaters safety course and be between the ages of ten and 18.

In New York state, boating speed is generally limited to 5 mph within 100 feet of the shore, dock, pier, raft or anchored boat. Local ordinances may further regulate the speed of boats in specific areas. When no speed limit is posted, boats must operate in such a fashion as to not endanger others, including passengers on board, swimmers, and boaters in other vessels.

There are many regulations regarding equipment that must be on board a boat and personal watercraft, and this listing can be found at www.nysparks.state.ny.us/recreation/boating. However, one of the most important regulations is that there must be enough life jackets on board for each passenger. Children under the age of 12 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times unless they are in an enclosed cabin.

No one may operate a boat on the waters of New York state while impaired or intoxicated from drugs or alcohol. There are heavy fines, imprisonment, and the suspension of operator privileges for violators. Furthermore, it is important to realize that while on the water even small amounts of alcohol may greatly impair one’s ability to function in three critical areas: balance, coordination and judgment. Your ability to judge speed and distance are also impaired, which can limit your ability to track moving objects. Finally, your ability to survive should you find yourself unexpectedly in the water decreases when under the influence.

Jet skis, or personal watercrafts, are one of the most popular vessels on the water. However, there are specific regulations for the operation of this specific watercraft. The minimum age for an operator is 14, and everyone, regardless of age, must complete a boating safety course before taking a jet ski out onto the water—even for a quick spin. Jet skis are prohibited between sunset and sunrise (or after dark), and users should avoid weaving through congested traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel, and playing chicken. Jet skis are also prohibited within 500 feet of a beach or swimming area. Finally, jet skiers must wear a USCG approved life jacket.

Water skiing, tubing and wake boarding are also growing in popularity on our local waterways, and these activities have a few simple rules that must be followed to remain legal, and most importantly, safe:

Three people are required for tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, etc, including the operator of the boat, a spotter, and the skier/tuber/boarder.

No towing activities are permitted after dark.

All people being towed behind a boat must wear a USCG approved life jacket.

Operators/tubers/skiers should steer clear of shores, docks, swimmers and other boats.

A boat engaged in towing has to follow the “rules of the road” for boating.

The person being towed is still considered a “passenger” on the boat, which is important when considering a boat’s capacity.

Boating is a popular summertime activity here in the North Country. Jefferson County, St. Lawrence County and Oswego County combined have nearly 30,000 registered vessels 16 feet and larger. This figure does not include the hundreds of local boaters whose vessels are registered in other counties or out of state. Across New York state, there are nearly 480,000 registered boats.

For more information on boating laws, safety and/or boating safety courses, visit http://nysparks.state.ny.us/recreation/boating.

Kenneth Blankenbush Assemblyman

112th District Assemblyman