For More Information Contact:
Lieutenant Shawn Castano, 845-486-3800
Poughkeepsie, NY - Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk A. Imperati announces that over the next several months, marine patrol deputies will be conducting boating safety courses to educate boaters and to encourage safe and lawful operation of vessels in compliance with Brianna’s Law.
Sheriff Imperati said, "I'm pleased to welcome the public back into the Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center and have our marine patrol deputies instruct the New York State Boater Safety Course. The interaction that our deputies have with boaters in the classroom promotes positive conversations about safe boating, compliance with the law, and recognition of hazards on the waterways. We want boaters to enjoy their time on the water and reduce the risk of accidents."
Brianna's Law is named after Brianna Lieneck, an 11-year-old girl from Long Island, New York, who was killed in a boating accident in 2005. This law phases in mandatory boater safety education for individuals who operate motorized vessels. Failure to comply with this law could result in a fine of between $100 and $250.
- Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1993 needed a boating safety certificate beginning in 2020.
- Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2022.
- Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1983 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2023.
- Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1978 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2024.
All motorboat operators, regardless of age, will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2025.
Each boater safety course offered by the Sheriff’s Office will be conducted on a Friday evening and Saturday morning. Attendees must attend both days of the course. Courses will be held in the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center Community Room as follows:
Course 1:
Friday, April 1, 2022, from 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 8:00am – 12:00pm
Course 2:
Friday, April 29, 2022, from 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 8:00am – 12:00pm
Course 3:
Friday, May 20, 2022, from 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 8:00am – 12:00pm
There is no fee to attend, however, registration is required due to limited seating in each course. If you would like to register for a course, please call the Sheriff’s Office at 845-486-3840.
###
