Boating Safety Campaign

Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson announced that over the next several weeks, Marine Patrol Deputies will have an increased presence on the water conducting a public awareness and outreach campaign intended to save lives by encouraging safe and responsible behavior on the part of all recreational boaters.

Sheriff Anderson said, “Many people spend time boating on the Hudson River with their family and friends. We want to make sure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.”
Deputies will be working alongside other maritime law enforcement partners patrolling the Hudson River to provide assistance and education to boaters. They will be conducting vessel inspections at boat clubs, marinas, boat launches and on the water. This is to ensure that boats are equipped with the safety equipment required under navigation law. Educational materials will also be distributed to boaters.

“The goal of our outreach campaign is to ensure that boaters have the knowledge and information they need to be in compliance with all of the safety regulations and to reduce their risk of experiencing a boating emergency”, said Lieutenant Shawn Castano.

The law requires that children under the age of twelve must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when on a boat. The law also requires anyone on a personal watercraft or anyone being towed on water skis or on a tube to wear a PFD. Additionally, the law mandates that anyone in a boat twenty-one feet or less to wear a PFD between November 1st to May 1st due to unexpected cold water immersion, especially when fishing or hunting.