Environment DEC
From the September 2005 issue
Governor Signs Legislation to Increase Boater Safety
Governor George E. Pataki has signed into law legislation that will increase safety on New York State's waterways by increasing the minimum age of those allowed to operate personal watercraft (PWC) to 14 years old. The new law will take effect January 1, 2006.
"New York State has been blessed with a wide variety of spectacular waterways that are popular with families and outdoor enthusiasts, and we are committed to making sure that everyone who enjoys the water has a safe and pleasurable experience," Governor Pataki said. "Last year's boating season was the second safest on record, and the new law is another step we are taking to make New York's waterways as safe as they possibly can be."
Current law requires any person between the ages of 10 and 18 to possess a boating safety certificate to operate any mechanically powered vessel, including PWCs. This means that operators as young as 10 years old are allowed to operate these vessels. The bill signed into law will restrict personal watercraft operation to people 14 years of age or older. All operators still will be required to possess boating safety certificates.
Bigger and Stronger = Better Control
In many cases, youngsters lack the physical height and strength needed to properly handle PWCs, which have quickly evolved into larger and heavier watercraft. Today's PWCs can be as long as 12 feet, equipped with engines of up to 1500ccs and capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 mph. These factors make them particularly difficult for youngsters to safely operate on the state's waterways.
While educating young boaters about the unique operating characteristics of PWCs is important, education cannot address the lack of physical maturity needed to safely operate a PWC. By increasing the minimum age, this bill will give children time to mature before being allowed to operate these vessels.
Benefits of Boater Education
DEC officers patrol New York's
waters on personal watercraft
In 1998, Governor Pataki signed legislation requiring boating safety courses for operators of personal watercraft (PWC). Since the law went into effect, PWC accidents have dropped by a dramatic 63 percent. New York has the largest mandatory education program for the operation of these vessels in the country.
According to the New York State 2004 Recreational Boating Report, in 2004 there was a dramatic reduction in fatalities, injuries and boating accidents from the previous year. Fatalities dropped 47 percent, from 34 to 18; injuries decreased from 132 to 93, and the number of accidents dropped by a third, from 303 to 204. These figures represent the second-safest season since such statistics have been kept.
With more than 520,000 motorized vessels, New York State ranks seventh in the country for total number of registered boats, but the state's fatality rate for registered boaters is below the national average. New York's nationally recognized boating safety program helped educate a record-setting 40,000 New York boaters last year.
