|
Boating Safety Starts in the Winter - Not When It's Time For Fun in The Sun
by Edward Paul Greiff
 | | Andy Powers, a local resident, a local businessman, and a volunteer with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 6-3. |
|
According to USCG Auxiliary Public Affairs Officer Andy Powers the number of boating accidents and fatalities has increased for the second consecutive year. A substantial number of these accidents involve canoes, Jet Skis, kayaks, rowboats, and small power boats. These are just the type of recreational water craft used by the lake communities of Putnam Valley, surrounding lakes and rivers adjacent to the Town of Putnam Valley.
Andy Powers says that over seventy percent of all boating accidents involve people who have never taken a boating safety course, and that ninety percent of all fatalities involve drowning by those not wearing a life jacket. "The best way to avoid being a statistic," said Powers, "is to know before you go - that is to prepare now in the wintertime to learn boating safety while you have the time. In the summertime, when you are having too much fun in the sun you won't have the time to start learning about boating safety."
Besides conducting formal recreational boating safety courses at various local school facilities, volunteer members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 6-3 like Lake Oscawana resident Pete Bazzo and others organize private courses. The Coast Guard Auxiliary's motivation behind these private courses is to get the boating safety message out to as many people as they can. Most people work during the week and find it difficult to attend a weekday class. To accommodate some of these people Pete Bazzo conducted a one-day, eight-hour boating safety course at the home of Paul Simon on Lake Oscawana. Mr. Simon had gathered together twelve interested boaters and Pete Bazzo was glad to oblige.
The courses given by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary are recognized by most states for operating motor boats and jet skis. By taking one of these recreational boating safety courses and passing the final exam students will meet the New York and Connecticut State requirements for motor boat and personal water craft operation, informs Andy Powers. In addition he says the newly acquired information and knowledge may prevent an accident and possibly save their lives.
For the more experienced boater the USCGA Flotilla 6-3 offers more advanced recreational boating safety courses such as the "Boating Safety & Seamanship" course.
The next Boating Safety course being given by Flotilla 6-3 will be at the Metro Boat Show at Westchester County Center in White Plains from February 8 to 10. In March the Mahopac Adult Education program will include a recreational boating safety class.
Other opportunities are being explored by Flotilla 6-3 to conduct these courses in local facilities during the months of April and May.
Along with preparing the individual for the boating season there is the task of preparing your water craft. Andy Powers strongly suggests that power boat operators and jet ski operators take advantage of having a courtesy vessel safety check done on their boat at the beginning of the boating season to make sure it meets the minimum State and Federal safety equipment requirements. Boats that pass inspection are awarded a special Annual Vessel Safety Check decal for their boat. Another benefit of such inspections is the sharing of information to help you maintain your equipment and other boating safety tips gleaned from the inspector's experience. This service is free and strongly recommended says Powers, and there are no penalties for not passing the safety check. The examiner will explain why your boat did not pass and what needs to be corrected. After the corrections are made the vessel examiner will gladly return at no charge and re-inspect your boat and award the decal.
Mr. Powers points out an interesting fact that many boating accidents and fatalities occur on landlocked lakes and often close to shore. Within the past year Flotilla 6-3 has expanded its area of responsibility and plans to work closely with the Maritime Patrol Unit of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department. This summer you will see their presence at Lake Oscawana and on the Hudson River north of Peekskill. With this expanded role comes the need for more volunteers. United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Volunteers have the opportunity to learn Advanced Boating Skills, Marine Search & Rescue and to participate in such initiatives as Patriot Readiness, Surface & Air Patrols, and Public Education. The USCG Auxiliary also helps recruit candidates for the U.S.C.G. Academy in Groton, Connecticut.
Andy Powers has provided the following contact information: Safety Courses - Skip Mumford, 845 224-6397, Public Affairs and Vessel Safety Checks - Andy Powers, 914 393-1377, Recruitment & general Information Steve Horvitz, 845 528-3213.
Providing local news, information and opinions from
Philipstown and Putnam Valley, NY
Encompassing the Villages of Cold Spring and Nelsonville,
and the hamlet of Garrison, Putnam County, NY.
This site is a publication of The Putnam County News and Recorder, the source for news and information of the Philipstown
and Putnam Valley area. The PCN&R is 139
years old, published in hard copy every Wednesday, and circulated throughout Putnam
County, NY.
The PCN&R prints LEGAL NOTICES
for: Putnam County, The Town of Philipstown, The Town of Putnam Valley, Village of Cold Spring, Village of
Nelsonville, the Haldane Union Free School District and the Garrison Union Free School
District.
Deadline for printed press releases, advertisements and classifieds is Monday at noon for
Wednesday publication. This site is updated on an as-needed basis with a minimum update
weekly on Thursdays. For further information or to request a subscription to the paper, please
contact us with your name and mailing address at:
(845) 265-2468 PO Box 185, Cold Spring, NY 10516, or e-mail us at editor@pcnr.com
If you see an advertiser on line, tell them! | Click ads below
for larger version
System and Method for Display
Ads have a Patent Pending.
Click Here for More Information
|
)