Schuyler County Boater Safety Course Announced

The Schuyler County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Unit will be hosting a free two-day New York State Boater's Safety Course on Monday, March 30 and Tuesday March 31, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm both nights. For more information, see below.

Schuyler County to host free boat safety inspection clinics June 27 and 28

Press release:

The Schuyler County Sheriff's Office Navigation Unit will be hosting two separate FREE boat safety inspection clinics to kick off the 2025 boating season.

The Boat Safety Inspections will be held at the public boat launch south of Glen Harbor Marina across from the Community Center in the Village of Watkins Glen on Friday, June 27th from 5pm to 8pm and Saturday, June 28th from 9am-12pm.

This is a free opportunity to have a boat of any kind inspected to ensure it meets all legal requirements for the upcoming boating season. A safety inspection form will be completed and given to the owner. No penalties for boats that do not pass inspection!

This is a great way to ensure boaters have all of the required safety equipment, learn about lifejacket safety or boating laws or the implementation of boater safety licenses for all NYS boaters and to ask any boating related questions of Marine Deputies.

The inspection process will include checking for:

-Approved life jackets
-Working fire extinguishers
-Approved floatation devices
-Approved sound producing devices
-Working engine blower fans (if required)
-Assist with proper placement of NYS registration numbers and registration stickers
-Battery and electrical connections
-Engine fuel and ventilation systems
-Registration and documentation

Marine Deputies can also answer questions about non-motorized boats and the requirements pertaining to them.

For more information, click on the link above.

National Boating Safety Week: May 21 to May 27

National Safe Boating Week is being held from May 21-27, 2022, reminding all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season.

This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible

.

The National Safe Boating Council recommends these tips for boaters:

• Take a boating safety course. Gain valuable knowledge and on-water experience in a boating safety course with many options for novice to experienced boaters.
• Check equipment. Schedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working and in good condition.
• Make a float plan. Always let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board.
• Wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone wears a life jacket – every time. A stowed life jacket is no use in an emergency.v • Use an engine cut-off switch – it’s the law. An engine cut-off switch is a proven safety device to stop a powerboat engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard.
• Watch the weather. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion.
• Know what’s going on around you at all times. Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents are caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.
• Know where you’re going and travel at safe speeds. Be familiar with the area, local boating speed zones and always travel at a safe speed.
• Never boat under the influence. A BUI is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Always designate a sober skipper.
• Keep in touch. Have more than one communication device that works when wet. VHF radios, emergency locator beacons, satellite phones, and cell phones can all be important devices in an emergency.

The Safe Boating Campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The campaign offers a variety of free and paid resources to support local boating safety education efforts. Learn more here.