This Legislature hereby finds and determines that hundreds of
thousands of Long Islanders enjoy boating on Long Island's lakes,
rivers, bays and ocean each year. This Legislature further finds that
while boating is a relaxing and pleasurable recreational activity,
recent events remind us that boating can also be dangerous. This Legislature
finds that while New York State requires young people to receive boating
safety instruction, no such requirement exists for persons 18 years
of age or older. This Legislature further determines that all Suffolk
County boaters should receive boating safety education. Therefore,
the purpose of this law is to require all Suffolk County boaters to
receive boating safety instruction.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
WATERS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY
All of the lakes, rivers, streams and bodies of water located
within the boundaries of the County of Suffolk or that part of any
body of water which is adjacent to the County of Suffolk and which
is within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of New York.
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall,
for a first offense, be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine
not to exceed $250; for a second offense, shall be guilty of a violation
punishable by a fine not to exceed $500; for all subsequent offenses,
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,000 or
a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.
This article shall apply to actions occurring on or after the
effective date of this law.
This article shall take effect one year after its filing in
the Office of the Secretary of State.