SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — Boating is a staple of summer in the Empire State. But as of this year, boaters in New York can’t operate a motorized vessel without passing a safety course.
Barbara Eighmey, a boater on Onondaga Lake, has been driving ships since she was 10. Safety is her top priority when she sails.
“It’s not like a car that brakes when you need to brake it,” said Eighmey. “The conditions change rapidly. And so you have to adjust the way you drive a boat depending on the conditions you’re in, with the wind, the currents, other boaters around you.”
The boating safety course is a product of Brianna’s Law, ensuring that New York boaters have the knowledge needed to safely operate a boat. The law is named after Brianna Lieneck, an 11-year-old Long Island girl who was killed in a 2005 boating accident.
“As long as they take the safety courses, they know what the rules are and they know how to man their boat and check their safety equipment, they’ll be fine,” said Eighmey.
Alexi Howland, the New York state director of marine services and recreational vehicles, wants safety on the water to become second nature to sailors.
“New York state offers safe boating courses,” said Howland. “We have a plethora of volunteer and commercial instructors that will put on these courses for individuals throughout the state or they can opt to take it online.”
The course takes around four hours to complete online, or eight hours in person. Boaters will learn everything they need to know to stay safe on the water this summer.
“First and foremost, wearing a life jacket,” said Howland. “Boating sober. Alcohol — in all of our accidents which result in fatalities, alcohol is a part of 20% of them.”
These tips translate directly to places like Onondaga Lake Park, where Barbara Eighmey understands the importance of a designated driver.
“You need somebody who will stay sober that knows how to maneuver a boat, and handle a boat,” said Eighmey. “The rest of the people want to hang out and party, and the weather’s beautiful? Fine. But you’ve got to have one person who knows what they’re doing and driving the boat.”
Safety first is the only way to ensure smooth sailing this summer.
For more information on these safety courses, visit https://parks.ny.gov/boating.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Safety course required for New Yorkers to hit the water this summer
Patrick Scanlon: Boating. A staple of summer in the Empire State. But as of this year, boaters in New York can’t operate a motorized vessel without passing a safety course. This Boater on Onondaga Lake, Barbara Eighmey, has been driving boats since she was 10. Safety is her top priority when she sails.
Barbara Eighmey: It’s not like a car that brakes when you need to brake it. The conditions change rapidly. And so you have to adjust the way you drive a boat depending on the conditions you’re in, with the wind, the currents, other boaters around you.
Scanlon: The boating safety course is a product of Brianna’s law, ensuring that New York boater’s have the knowledge needed to safely operate a boat.
Eighmey: As long as they take the safety courses, they know what the rules are and they know how to man their boat and check their safety equipment, they’ll be fine.
Scanlon: As of January 1st of this year, all boaters in New York state are required to complete a safety course. And as it finally warms up here in Central New York, these sailors are excited to hit the waterways. But not without that anchor symbol on their ID.
Alexi Howland: New York State offers safe boating courses. We have a plethora of volunteer and commercial instructors that will put on these courses for individuals throughout the state or they can opt to take it online.
Scanlon: Alexi Howland, the New York state director of marine services and recreational vehicles, wants safety on the water to become second nature to sailors.
Howland: First and foremost, wearing a life jacket. Boating sober. Alcohol. In all of our accidents which result in fatalities, alcohol is a part of 20% of them.
Scanlon: These tips translate directly to places like Onondaga Lake Park, where Barbara Eighmey understands the importance of a designated driver.
Eighmey: You need somebody who will stay sober that knows how to maneuver a boat, and handle a boat. The rest of the people want to hang out and party, and the weather’s beautiful? Fine. But you’ve got to have one person who knows what they’re doing and driving the boat.
Scanlon: Safety first is the only way to ensure smooth sailing this summer. In Central New York, I’m Patrick Scanlon. NCC News.