\
Joined
by Neptune Sail and Power Squadron and Lisa Gaines, Mother of 7-Year-Old
Victoria Killed in July 4th 2012 Boating Tragedy, to Announce Advanced Boating
Safety Initiative
Halesite –
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Maritime Services Acting Director Dom Spada, and
Senior Harbormaster Fred Uvena were joined on Monday, July 1 at the
Harbormaster’s office by officials from Neptune Sail and Power Squadron,
Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs, and Lisa Gaines, mother
of 7-year-old Victoria Gaines who was killed in a July 4th boating tragedy in
2012, to announce plans to increase enforcement against unsafe, intoxicated and
speeding boaters in Huntington’s waterways during the 4th of July holiday week
as well as a joint initiative between Neptune Sail & Power Squadron and the
Town to provide advanced boating safety training under the Town’s newly renamed
Victoria Gaines Boating Safety Program.
“The Town
implements these temporary speed zones due to the overwhelming number of boats
in Huntington's waters – from 800 to 1,000 boats – for the Fourth of July
celebration and the danger that a wake from a speeding boat creates,
potentially destabilizing a smaller or overcrowded boat,” said Supervisor Chad
A. Lupinacci. “Sadly, this exact scenario tragically played out in 2012. Seven
years ago, Lisa Gaines lost her daughter, Victoria, who was just days shy of
her 8th birthday, when the boat they were on capsized in Oyster Bay after a
Fourth of July fireworks display."
On the
evening of Thursday, July 4th, from 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM, the Town will be
enforcing a temporary 5 mile-per-hour boating speed limit in the zones
indicated on the attached map. The map also lists eight boating emergency
pickup locations: Powles Dock; Lloyd Neck Bath Club; Huntington Town Dock;
Huntington Bay Club; Huntington Beach Community Association Dock; Northport
Yacht Club; Soundview Boat Ramp; and Eaton's Neck Coast Guard Station. The map
is also available on the Town’s website, HuntingtonNY.gov, and the Town's
social media pages for boaters and passengers entering Huntington’s waterways.
“Our Bay
Constables are out patrolling the waters from 7:00 AM until 2 o’clock in the
morning every day, on call 24-7, to ensure the safety of our waterways. They
will continue to support the Suffolk County Marine Bureau to crack down on
speeders, intoxicated boaters, conducting boat stops and ensuring boats are
operating safely to prevent unnecessary tragedies,” said Supervisor Lupinacci.
Dom Spada,
Acting Director of Maritime Services cautioned boaters planning to enter
Huntington’s waterways for the 4th of July fireworks displays: “Later in the
evening, around 10:30 PM on July 4th, we will be experiencing mid-tide. Rocks
and jetties are barely covered by the water during mid-tide so they may not be
visible to boaters but please stay in the channels and don’t cut your turns
short.”
Senior
Harbormaster Fred Uvena added that boaters can call the Harbormaster’s office
on Channel 9 when their boats’ waste tanks are getting full: “Please don’t dump
your waste water into the harbor; these waterways are a precious natural
resource -- we’ll send a pump out boat to you, just call us on Channel 9.” He
advised boaters of the potential destruction a wake can create – even outside
of the 5 MPH zone – when hundreds of boats are in the water in close proximity.
He gave additional safety tips and warned against BWI: “We will stop you, we
will check you, we will bring you to shore where we’ll do a field sobriety
test, and you will be arrested.”
Supervisor
Lupinacci announced the launch of new advanced boating safety training courses
offered at Town Hall to help boaters and passengers avoid tragedies on the
water: “Under the banner of the Town’s Victoria Gaines Boating Safety Program,
I am pleased to announce that the Town is now offering advanced boating safety
courses presented by Neptune Sail and Power Squadron, which address planning
for and troubleshooting boating emergencies – information that can save lives.”
Philip
Quarles, Education Commander for Neptune Sail and Power Squadron, stated: “The
Neptune Sail and Power Squadron was founded in 1938 and has been serving Town
of Huntington for 83 years teaching boating safety and advanced boating
courses. We are honored to be partnering with the Town of Huntington offering
classes to residents. "Emergencies on Board" will be offered on August
12th. You can learn more by visiting www.neptuneboatingclub.com.”
Lisa Gaines
offered words of caution, including safety tips: “You are responsible for the
wake you leave behind,” and cautioned boat passengers not to assume the boat
operator has taken all safety precautions, encouraging passengers to “ask
questions.” Gaines closed with, "I want to continue to thank all that
devote their time to ensuring the water safety of the boating community. I
appreciate the unending support to my advocacy. One never thinks this could
happen to them and it absolutely can! My hope is that boaters of all ages and
experience levels continue to educate themselves. I believe this coupled with
the new laws on the horizon will ultimately save lives. Have a fun and very
safe holiday and summer to all."
HIGH-RESOLUTION VIDEO: http://huntingtonny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1869
Attachments:
Temporary Speed Zones. Photo 1 (l-r): Dom Spada, Acting Director,
Maritime Services; Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci; Fred Uvena, Senior
Harbormaster with July 4th temporary speed zone map. Photo 2 (l-r) Dom Spada,
Acting Director, Maritime Services; Fred Uvena, Senior Harbormaster; Supervisor
Chad A. Lupinacci; Stephanie Quarles, Past Commander, Neptune Sail and Power
Squadron (NSPS); Philip Quarles, Education Commander, NSPS; Lisa Gaines; Janine
Burns, Liaison to the Commander, NSPS; Don La Greco, Vessel Safety Examiner,
NSPS; Joe McMenoman, Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs.
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