New Law for those in Suffolk County NY

[tdschafer]

It's not going to change the A-holes acting like A-holes. Plain and simple. Everyone in this COUNTRY needs a drivers license to drive a car right? Do you see any A-holes out on the road? How many DWI's each year? Texting while driving? Yapping on cell phones? Speeding? Cutting people off?
A boating license is not going to change a thing IMHO!! The woman who "heralded" this new law was also one of the idiots that got on a 34 foot boat with 28 other people!! It's tragic that her daughter and the others lost their lives but, she is complicit there. Either out of stupidity or ignorance. Do you think that course and subsequent license would have imparted great wisdom on that captain and somehow increased his IQ? I think not!!
This is also in response to a douchebag that was flying out on the bay in a Skater around 4-5am after a night of drinking and creamed into the side of a 30 something foot Hatteras heading out for a fishing trip, killing a 30 year old husband and father at the beginning of this boating season. Did this moron not know drinking and driving is against the law? Of course he did but, being the A-hole he is, couldn't care less and it cost a man his life! The license would not have changed either situation in my opinion and to think the contrary is Pie-in-the-sky if you ask me.
This is just going to be another tool to generate income for the county which is cash strapped right now and will end up penalizing the law abiding citizens for the most part who are unaware that this act just got passed. I had no idea until I read this thread and my boat is still in the water.
If the county REALLY wants to make a difference, they need only step up marine patrols and hang outside the harbors that are known for excess partying, ie: Ocean Bay Park, The Pines & the Grove, Davis Park. If they throw a few boats out there from say, 6pm until 4am most drunk drivers will stop! As far as the overloaded boat, I think Joe said earlier, "You can't cure stupid"

Rant over!

[JediJD]

Another stupid useless unenforceable law with no direct relationship to solving any specific problem. Marine equivalent of reducing the size of sodas.

[moparlvr4406]

here in Indiana you "must" posess a drivers licence to operate a watercraft
and if you get a ticket it goes on your driving record.
never seen anyone pulled over on a boat to check but may happen

[Xplicitlnck]

Mr td

I think that was spot on.. and I think you feel a lot better after getting that out. I even got a little anger and frustration out just reading it lol. Well put sir

[MonacoMike]

Is this open water or a lake?

MM

[Xplicitlnck]

Open ocean and a inland bays

[MonacoMike]

How can a local government enforce local laws on traveling vessels on the open water? They could require one to use their ramps.

MM

[MonacoMike]

Can a local government require a special permit to drive through the town?

MM

[rpasquarello]

Guys and Gals,

I believe the way it was written,it applies if the boat is REGISTERED in Suffolk County....

[MonacoMike]

Guys and Gals,

I believe the way it was written,it applies if the boat is REGISTERED in Suffolk County....

Thanks,

MM