State Park Officials Urge Boaters to be Wary of Dangerous Conditions

LongIsland.com

Due to the unusually heavy rainfall and residual flooding we've been experiencing across Long Island and New York State, park officials are warning boaters that high waters and fast moving rivers and streams may be ...

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Due to the unusually heavy rainfall and residual flooding we’ve been experiencing across Long Island and New York State, park officials are warning boaters that high waters and fast moving rivers and streams may be hazardous this holiday weekend.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey reminded boaters to be mindful of potentially dangerous conditions.

"Many areas of New York are experiencing high water levels and fast moving rivers due to unusually heavy rainfall," Harvey said.

"These conditions may pose unexpected dangers to boaters. Before setting out, we urge boaters to make sure they understand the conditions they'll face and avoid bodies of water that may be unsafe. Don't let a poorly planned boating trip turn your holiday into a tragedy," she said.

In the wake of the tragic Fourth of July boating accident that killed three children off the coast of Oyster Bay last year, and with intermittent thunderstorms forecast for Long Island throughout the holiday weekend, boaters should be especially wary.

The Office of Parks and Recreation along with the United States Coast Guard strongly recommend that boaters wear life jackets, especially while aboard small manually propelled watercraft.

Additional precautions include:

 

The State Parks Marine Service Unit is responsible for the coordination of boating safety programs and supports marine law enforcement efforts across the state. For more information about boating safety, education and resources, visit the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation website.

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[Source: NYS Parks]