Assembly Passes Brianna's Law to Require Boating Safety & Make New York's Waterways a Safer Place

The reason for the five year window is in part, there would be too many people to certify in one year. If you remember when Suffolk County passed a similar law(which was over-ridden by NY State) no one considered the amount of people that needed to be certified. I am an instructor for the NY State Safe Boating Program. We could not handle the amount of people that needed classes, people who lost certifications ect.

The older more experienced boaters have more time to be compliant than younger people starting out boating or PWC operating for the first time
 
any word yet on those of us who previously took courses ? I know Snoozeday said we would be grandfathered but I believe little that rag prints.
 
At $35 a pop, that's 15-million bucks. I'm thinking that should fix all of our ramp issues in the state. An online course shouldn't cost them too much.
 
Here is the final of the Senate bill. NY State Senate Bill S5685
Assuming this is what Cuomo actually signed, I don't see anything in it regarding those of us who have already taken safety courses. It seems I would have until 2025 to take a course if my three previous completions aren't grandfathered in, but what I don't like about it is that just like the Defensive Driving Course that one can do to cut liability charges on auto insurance, one can have a spouse, son, grandfather or just about anyone take the boat safety course for you online.
 
Looks like it allows for CG licenses.

But it also looks like the most likely offenders, first time boat owners, have 120 days to get a certificate. So we're all at risk for four months before these people are made "safe".

In the justification it states:

In 12% of accidents between 2005 and 2015, the individuals were required by law to wear personal floatation devices, but were not. In 2016, there were 22 boating fatalities. In 11 of these fatalities, alcohol or drugs were present. Despite the myriad of laws prohibiting drug and alcohol use while boating, individuals are driving these vessels while under the influence.

So, because the laws aren't being followed we need a law to teach people about the law. What an @$$hole.
 
But it also looks like the most likely offenders, first time boat owners, have 120 days to get a certificate. So we're all at risk for four months before these people are made "safe"

My guess is they did that at the request of boat dealers. It's tuff to sell a new boat a person can't text run.
 
OK, admittedly I did skim this.

I saw this: Those who have an existing certificate from a prior course are already deemed qualified. The state will have to determine which courses meet the appropriate safety standards.

Question: If I have a Power squadron diploma, is that sufficient?


I also saw this:

This act shall take effect January 1, 2020 and shall apply to all operators born on or after January 1, 1993,
provided further on and after January 1, 2021 and before January 1, 2022 this act shall apply to all operators born on or after January 1, 1988;
provided further on and after January 1, 2022 and before January 1, 2023 this act shall apply to all operators born on or after January 1, 1983;
provided further on and after January 1, 2023 and before January 1, 2024 this act shall apply to all operators born on or after January 1, 1978;
provided further on and January 1, 2024 and before January 1, 2025 this act shall apply to operators.

Therefore, if I was born in 1954. Does this stop at 1978?
 
I had gotten a nice plastic card from the county or state when I took a free course from the NCPD 7 or so years ago. Unfortunately the course paled in comparison to the USCGA course I took weekday nights back in 1976. Just got back from kayaking (and a nice 25" weak.) some dumb couple was paddling a tandem. No lifejackets, perhaps stowed, and no safety flag. Just outside the marked 5mph channel where one can run full speed. No Darwin Awards awaiting...
 
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I had gotten a nice plastic card from the county or state when I took a free course from the NCPD 7 or so years ago. Unfortunately the course paled in comparison to the USCGA course I took weekday nights back in 1976. Just got back from kayaking (and a nice 25" weak.) some dumb couple were paddling a tandem. No lifejackets, no safety flag. Two Darwin Awards awaiting...

Sort of a rhetorical question, because nobody will know the answer. But if they take this course, would they have lifejackets, and a safety flag?
 
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