State Police Troop T Begins 1999 Marine Patrol on New York's Canal System

Press Release: NYS Canal Corporation, May 25, 1999

New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation Chairman Louis R. Tomson and New York State Police Superintendent James W. McMahon commenced Safe Boating Week by announcing the official start of the state police patrol for the 1999 navigation season on the New York State Canal System.

“The partnership of local police agencies and State Police Troop T’s marine patrol has provided a safe and enjoyable recreational environment for residents and visitors of the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail,” Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation Chairman Louis R. Tomson said. “The marine patrol provides a valuable service to the Canal System, not only by enforcing boating regulations, but also by assisting boaters and trail users.”

New York State Police Troop T’s marine patrol is responsible for oversight and policing of the Canal System and Canalway Trail. They ensure compliance with state and federal boater safety regulations and use motor boats and personal watercraft to patrol the 524-mile Canal System that extends along the Erie, Oswego, Champlain and Cayuga-Seneca canals. Mountain bikes are used to patrol and respond to emergencies along the segments of Canalway Trail.

“During Safe Boating Week, now through May 28, the marine patrols will concentrate enforcement efforts on boaters’ use of personal flotation devices (PFD) and educating boaters on the new state regulations regarding personal watercraft vessels,” New York State Police Superintendent James W. McMahon said. “While the marine patrols are on hand to enforce regulations, boaters must be responsible and aware of the boating laws before going underway.”

“Troop T’s marine patrol will join statewide enforcement details to increase boaters’ compliance with using personal flotation devices,” Troop T Major Robert Anslow said. “Both nationally and statewide, 80 percent of boating fatalities are related to boaters not wearing or having sufficient numbers of PFD’s aboard boats. Nationally, the second most frequently written boating citation is given to boaters for not having PFD’s on a boat or having the improper size or type on board.”

In New York State, pleasure boats must have a United States Coast Guard approved PFD for each person on the vessel. Children under the age of 12, must wear an appropriately sized PFD.

Owners of personal watercraft should also be aware of a new state law that will require anyone operating a “jet ski” to successfully complete a mandatory eight-hour safety course. From 2000 through 2004, the requirement for operators to be certified will be phased in based on age. More specific requirements and the first of many course schedules will be announced in early summer.

“Boater safety is our top priority on the Canal System,” Tomson added. “We will continue to team up with Troop T to spread the word about boater safety to the more than 100,000 boaters that travel through the Canal System during our navigation season from May to November.”

Boaters can expect to see state and local patrols on the Canal System now through the end of the navigation season in late fall.