Poughkeepsie, NY – Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson announced that the Sheriff’s Office will be participating in National Safe Boating Week from May 22 – 28, 2021. During this period, marine patrol deputies will be educating boaters and encouraging the safe and lawful operation of vessels.

Sheriff Anderson said, “National Safe Boating Week is a great opportunity for boaters to take the time to ensure they have all the proper safety equipment on their boat in the event an emergency occurs.”

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2019, and that 86 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

Marine patrol deputies will be visiting marinas and boat clubs along the Hudson River to educate boaters about life jackets, also called personal floatation devices (PFD). A PFD is required for every person on board a motorboat, sailboat, rowboat, canoe or kayak. Anyone on a personal watercraft must wear a PFD. A PFD must be worn by anyone who is being towed by a pleasure boat or personal watercraft. A PFD must also be worn by anyone under 12 years of age.

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit actively patrols the Hudson River providing education and enforcement of the New York State Navigation Law and other laws related to maritime safety and security. Marine patrol deputies perform search and rescue missions and work closely with the United States Coast Guard and other state and local marine patrols and fire departments to assist boaters in distress.

If a boater experiences an emergency while on the Hudson River, all occupants should immediately put on PFDs. The boater can hail for assistance on VHF Channel 16, call 911 from their cellphone, and deploy a visual distress signal to get the attention of other boaters or people on land.

For additional information on boating safety, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/boating