― NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS ―
National Safe Boating Week
PRESS RELEASE Date: May 13. 2022
The Steuben and Yates County Sheriff’s Office joins the New York State Sheriff’s Association, The U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary, the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Keuka Lake Association, and boating safety advocates throughout the country to promote safe and responsible boating, including voluntary, consistent wearing of a life jacket whenever a boater is on the water. We also want to raise awareness that Keuka Lake unlike most others have a special speed limit of 5 mph within 200 feet from shore, etc.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation reports that during 2021 there were 192 boating accidents
resulting in 118 injuries and 18 fatalities on New York State waterways. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities. Sheriff’s James Allard and Ron Spike want to assure that it is a time of happy memories on the water with family and friends and encourage boaters, PWC’s and paddlers to be
responsible and avoid reckless operation or speeding too close to shore. Also. be aware of marker buoys that are in place for safety, and be sure to remove plant matter (invasive species) before launch. Share your passion for safe boating by showing the community that wearing a life jacket is expected and the norm, Marine Patrol Units will be on Keuka Lake this summer, so please have a
wonderful recreational timer on the water with your family and friends, and
just WEAR IT.
