Rise In Drownings Lead To Calls For Water Safety In Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Morris County officials from various agencies stood shoulder to shoulder Friday afternoon at Lake Hopatcong to urge the public to heed warnings about the dangers of unsafe boating and swimming practices.

More people are venturing outside to enjoy the nice weather and water activities in New Jersey. However, having fun in the water can be dangerous if safety precautions are not taken.

Last week, two Kenvil brothers drowned in Mine Hill lake, bringing the total number of confirmed drownings in New Jersey to 14 even before the start of summer.

“About half of those victims were under 25 years old. Saddest yet is that many of the deaths were preventable. Some did not know the waters or hazards where they had waded in, and others could not swim. Most were just having fun, and not paying attention. That also is the overwhelming cause of boating accidents,” said Morris County Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen.

Chris D'Amico, Sr. of Mt. Arlington also spoke at the press conference. D’Amico lost his 10-year-old son, Christopher, when he fell off the front of a pontoon boat on Lake Hopatcong and was hit by the propellers in 2015.

“It was a beautiful June day just like today. That day, there was not a cloud in the sky and in an instant, my family’s life was changed forever,” D’Amico said.

According to Mount Arlington Mayor Michael Stanzilis, Christopher was one of two children killed in recent years after falling off the front of pontoon boats. "Christopher's Law," sponsored by state Sen. Anthony Bucco and signed into law in 2016, requires people who rent pontoons or "party boats" to go through a safety tutorial before using the vessel.

“It’s called the tunnel of death. They fall off, the boat goes over them and there is no way to escape,” Stanzilis said.

Authorities said Friday that knowing some basic boating and swimming safety precautions can mean the difference between life and death.

“I just would ask family members … talk to your kids. Scare your kids. Scare them. Don’t even think about being polite. Sit them down and say, 'See what happened here? I don’t want this funeral in my house. I don’t want to have to bury a pair of brothers.’ And it’s my hope we can get through to the younger people on just understanding the risks,” said Mine Hill Mayor Sam Morris.

Read more: 10 Drownings In A Month Prompts Calls For Change At NJ Beaches, Lakes

At the conference, Morris discussed the June 14 drownings of 17-year-old Arnulfo Del Cid and his 22-year-old brother Jess at Sunset Lake. Morris explained that neither of the young men could swim and had waded into a lake unaware that it was 22 feet deep just yards from the shore.

Despite the fact that there has been a common thread in a series of drownings that have occurred in the first few weeks of the 2022 summer season: eight deaths occurred while people were swimming on unguarded beaches, swimming dangers are not limited to beaches. Do not swim in areas where no lifeguards are on duty.

“I stand here surrounded by people who are dedicated to keeping our lakes and water resources safe for the enjoyment of everyone who come to places like Lake Hopatcong to spend their summer days,” said Morris County Sheriff James Gannon.

“We work cooperatively to ensure a safe environment on and around Lake Hopatcong, and to be there when people need help. But we are not a replacement for common sense, and that is what water safety is all about. It’s about common sense,” Gannon said.