New Suffolk County law mandates safety certification for all pleasure boat operators

Operating a pleasure boat in Suffolk County will require a boating safety certificate as of late next year, under a law signed yesterday by County Executive Steve Bellone.

The law takes effect one year from filing with the secretary of state.

Passed unanimously by the County Legislature on Sept. 13, the new law requires operators to hold a boating safety certificate issued by one of the following entities: the state parks department, a U.S. power squadron, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or by any entity that offers a boating course that meets the standards set by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators.

The operator must have his or her certificate on board the vessel at all times during operation.

Violators face fines of $250 upon conviction of a first offense to $1,000 or imprisonment of up to a year on the third and subsequent convictions, which are classified as misdemeanors under the law.

Boating instructors, police and fire and rescue personnel on official business are exempted from the new requirement.

Suffolk County waters are all lakes, rivers, streams and bodies of water located within the county or adjacent to it within the territorial jurisdiction of New York State.

Bellone signed the measure into law yesterday at a ceremony at a Great River country club.

RiverheadLOCAL photo by Peter Blasl

Peconic Bay Power Squadron offers an approved boating safety courses at locations in Riverhead and Mattituck. Visit the group’s website to see course schedules and locations.

Boating safety instruction courses offered in Riverhead next year, according to the N.Y. state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation website. Additional local courses may be added. Also, the website lists courses offered in other locations in Suffolk County. 

Saturday, May 25, 2013
Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead, 2038 Old Country Rd., Riverhead (Suffolk)
O’Donnell, Ed (516)216-4410
This class is for adults and children
The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, June 08, 2013
Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead, 2038 Old Country Rd., Riverhead (Suffolk)
O’Donnell, Ed (516)216-4410
This class is for adults and children
The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, June 22, 2013
Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead, 2038 Old Country Rd., Riverhead (Suffolk)
O’Donnell, Ed (516)216-4410
This class is for adults and children
The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, July 13, 2013
Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead, 2038 Old Country Rd., Riverhead (Suffolk)
O’Donnell, Ed (516)216-4410
This class is for adults and children
The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, July 27, 2013
Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead, 2038 Old Country Rd., Riverhead (Suffolk)
O’Donnell, Ed (516)216-4410
This class is for adults and children
The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, August 17, 2013
Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead, 2038 Old Country Rd., Riverhead (Suffolk)
O’Donnell, Ed (516)216-4410
This class is for adults and children
The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

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