Forty-four marina owners and employees completed the eight-hour course sponsored by BIA, New York Sea Grant, the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the U.S. Power Squadron in December.
Last September, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation requiring safety classes for anyone operating a motorized vessel of any size or type on New York waters.
The regulation, to be enacted in phases for anyone born after May 1, 1996, will improve safety for boaters on New York's waterways.
‘The members of the Boating Industries Association take an active role in promoting good boating practices and we all want safe waterways for boaters to enjoy,’ said BIA Director Barb Caster.
‘Marina staff completing the Boating Safety Certificate training can encourage their boating customers to follow suit and assure them that the course is not difficult, but well worth the time to improve safety for themselves and everyone on New York waters,’ says New York Sea Grant Coastal Recreation and Tourism Specialist Dave White.
Previously only ages 10-17 have been required to complete safety training to operate a boat alone on New York waters.
The new law - A.3471-A/S.1639-A - requires all boat operators to obtain a boating safety certificate by completing an eight-hour course. The requirement will be put into effect over a period of years for progressive age groups, beginning this year with all 18-year-old boaters.
For Boating Safety Certification course information, contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation; U.S. Power Squadron, or U.S. Coast Guard/Auxiliary.
The BIA will offer its annual Young Boater Safety Certificate training for ages 10-17 at the Central New York Boat Show February 12-16 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY. To register, contact New York Sea Grant at 315-312-3042.
Information on the BIA that provides diverse resources to the boating industry, and has members located in the 1000 Islands, Fingers Lakes, Central New York and Oneida Lake regions of New York State, is online at www.cnybia.com.
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