Town, Village Officials Join Together To Encourage Boat Safety

BABYLON, NY — Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter joined Babylon Town and Village officials to warn residents to the dangers caused by the recent influx of jet skis and inexperienced boat operators on the Great South Bay and surrounding waters.

After a recent fatal boating accident that claimed the life of a 24 year-old Lindenhurst resident, a jet ski accident that resulted in two deaths in the Bronx, and the rescue of 6 passengers by Fire Island Ferry staff from a capsized motorboat off of the shores of Fire Island Sunday evening, the panel called for the public’s awareness of the newly enacted Brianna’s Law.

The law was passed last year thanks to Deer Park resident Gina Lieneck, who worked to get the law passed on behalf of her daughter, Brianna Lieneck, who tragically died in 2005 at 11-years-old after a boat crashed into the family craft on the Great South Bay.

"When a boating or pool accident happens it’s so unfortunate, but if it was avoidable and happened due to negligence on any level, it’s horrific and unacceptable," Carpenter said. "Let’s all be safe."

Brianna's Law requires all operators of motorboats and personal water crafts born after May 1996 to obtain a boating safety certificate. The current coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the rise in sales of recreational boats, jet skis, paddleboards and backyard pools, which in turn has increased safety concerns among local officials.

"We kicked off the summer season on Memorial Day as we do every year, encouraging people to be safe out on the waters, but this summer is worse than it’s ever been," Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said. "Unfortunately, the majority of accidents are due to inexperience and alcohol. Do not get behind the wheel of a personal watercraft or boat…I don’t care what it is, unless you’ve had the requisite training. It’s only fair to yourself and everybody else that’s out there on the waters."

Babylon Village Mayor, Ralph Scordino; Town of Babylon Councilmen, Terence McSweeney and DuWayne Gregory, and General Manager, Director of Operations, Fire Island Ferries, Dave Anderson all also spoke on the importance of boating safety.

"It’s just like riding a car," Scordino said. "Just because you’re out in the open, it doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all. Everyone who has a boat, a personal watercraft, should be taking the Coast Guard course for boating."

McSweeney said the water-friendly communities in the Town of Babylon are often packed with people enjoying their boats on the bay as well as children playing in their backyards.

"Not only do you have to keep an eye out when on the water, but also in your backyards. If you are lucky enough to have a pool and have children, you must be advised to know that drowning is a silent event! Don’t assume you will hear a child who is in trouble in the water," he said. "Parents must closely supervise their children around water, and know how to perform CPR. Nine out of 10 drowning deaths happen when a caregiver is supervising, but not paying attention. Assign or designate a water watcher.

Residents are also urged to make sure they are aware of all necessary requirements covering the installation of backyard pools. This information can be accessed on the Town of Islip website: www.islipny.gov and on the Town of Babylon’s website: www.townofbabylon.com.

"We know that people are anxious and itching to get out to enjoy the waterways and pools. We should be cautious and not careless," Gregory said. "We can’t let our guard down."

Anderson said that while he encourages people to use the waterway, he wants them to be responsible.

"We want you to be responsible. Because if everybody’s responsible, the death rate will plummet, and that’s where we would like to be," he said.