This is an important year for safe boating in New York State, as Brianna’s Law, the 2019 legislation requiring all operators of power boats in the state to take a boater safety course, goes into full effect.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has played a central role in providing these educational courses, along with providing a day-long series of safe boating demonstrations in Greenport’s Mitchell Park to coincide with National Safe Boating Week, May 17 through May 23.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will include boating safety demonstrations throughout the day; information on VHF radios, flares and fire extinguishers; on-water demonstrations of search-and-rescue and safe docking techniques; man overboard procedures, life jacket fittings and give-aways; and information about anchors, knot tying, compass and chart readings.
Free vessel safety checks will be performed by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at the docks for boaters who pre-register by calling 917.939.9844.
“This is an important event that can save lives,” said John Nicholson, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Division Commander for Eastern Long Island, who works with the four East End flotillas, at a presentation at the Southold Town Board’s April 29 work session. “Saving lives is not by accident.It’s by the work that the flotillas do.”
Southold Flotilla 14-18-08 is organizing the event, which will include participation by the three other East End flotillas as well.
Elizabeth Downs, the Flotilla Staff Officer for Public Affairs at the Southold Flotilla said a ceremony at noon at the event will include trumpeter Colin Van Tuyl, a benediction, and comments from Greenport and Southold officials. There will also be historic tunes of seafarers at 10:30 a.m. and sea chanties at 12:30 p.m., sponsored by the Friends of Mitchell Park.
The rain date for the event will be May 18.
Ms. Downs said the event is also partnering with Harbor Pet, a pet store in Greenport, on demonstrations of how to fit your dog with a life jacket.
“The doggie paddle lasts about a minute, and then they’ll probably sink,” she said of dogs that go overboard without a life jacket. “Dogs don’t have endurance. People are taking their dogs on boats now, and we wanted to address the safety factor.”
Mr. Nicholson added that the event will include information about kayak and paddleboard safety.
“Right now, the death rate is very high for paddleboarders, and they’re given very little instruction,” he said, adding that the Division and the East End flotillas are “working on much more extensive presentations” on safety for these watersports.
He also stressed the importance of in-person Boater Safety Courses, which provide for more interaction, hands-on instruction and the opportunity to answer questions.
“Last year, we had over 1,000 boaters take the course,” he said, adding that almost 100 percent of the boaters, even those who had been on the water for 20 to 30 years, had not taken the courses before.
For more information about the National Safe Boating Week event, email uscga1808@gmail.com or downsaux@gmail.com.
For more information on where to take a boating safety course, visit the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s website.
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