| Press Release: NYS Canal Corporation, August 10, 2000
The New York State Canal Corporation and New
York State Police Troop T today announced the opening of a new State Police
satellite station in Waterford (Saratoga County) to help enforce safety
regulations and provide aid for people who use the Champlain Canal and the
Canalway Trail.
"We are very pleased to have this new State
Police facility in Waterford available," said Thruway Authority and Canal
Corporation Executive Director John Platt. "This satellite office will provide
vital safety information and boating rules in a very busy portion of our Canal
System that is the gateway for both the Erie and Champlain Canals."
Troop T, which is solely responsible for
patrolling the 641-mile Thruway, also patrols the 524-mile New York State Canal
System. State Police Troop T employs a special unit trained in marine and trail
patrol, which will operate out of this new station. The unit uses motor boats
and personal watercraft to patrol the Canal System. Mountain bikes and
snowmobiles are used to patrol more than 220 miles of Canalway Trail.
"This satellite facility will enable State
Police and other local law enforcement agencies to respond quickly and
effectively to any emergencies along the Champlain Canal system," said State
Police Supt. James McMahon. "This is another example of Governor Pataki’s
continuing efforts to provide effective law enforcement throughout New York
State."
The marine patrol works closely with local
police departments to enforce laws and maintain safety along the entire Canal
System. Since the opening of the 2000 navigation season, Troop T has made
approximately 156 arrests in the Albany Division. In addition, over 530 arrests
have been made thus far on the entire Canal System.
"It is the goal of the Troop T marine patrol
members to improve safety for recreational boaters while on the Canal," said
Troop T Major James F. Maley. "We will continue to inform and educate our
boating patrons on the importance of boating safety, as well as those who
utilize the Canalway Trail."
The new office is located on the first floor
of the recently completed Waterford Visitor’s Center at 1 Tugboat Alley,
Waterford. It will be a seasonal satellite station, open from May through
October to provide patrols along the Mohawk River, Hudson River and segments of
the Canalway Trail.
During the sixth-month patrol period, two
State Police Troop T members will be stationed at the Waterford location. In
addition, one patrol vessel will be docked on site, as well as two mountain
bikes for Canalway Trail patrols.
The office, accessible from both the water
and the street, will allow for additional public service through educational
and informational efforts pertaining to safety and boating rules and
regulations.
In an effort to revitalize and rehabilitate
New York’s Canal System, numerous projects along the Canal have been
scheduled and completed- for example, the recently opened Town of Waterford
Visitors Center and five-block promenade.
In celebration of this resurgence and the
175th anniversary of the Canal System, the 2nd Annual
Tugboat Roundup will be held in Waterford on August 18th,
19th and 20th. The Town of Waterford has planned a
tugboat parade, hot dog roast and festivities. For more details, contact the
Town of Waterford.
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