Town Of Huntington To Crack Down On 4th Of July Unsafe Boating

HALESITE, NY — The Town of Huntington on Tuesday announced plans to increase law enforcement against speeding, intoxicated and unsafe boaters during the 4th of July holiday weekend, according to a news release.

Each year, on July 4, the Town of Huntington Harbormaster sets temporary 5 mph boating speed zones in Huntington waterways from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The town says it implements these speed zones due to the "overwhelming number of boats" in its waters — from 800 to 1,000 boats — for 4th of July celebrations and the danger that a wake from a speeding boat creates, potentially destabilizing a smaller or overcrowded boat.

The Harbormaster’s office plans to support the Suffolk County Marine Bureau, stepping up enforcement on speeding boats, intoxicated boating, and conducting boat stops. The office believes these measures can prevent tragedies.

Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, town officials, and the Huntington Harbormaster were joined by state officials, the Suffolk County Marine Bureau, the Greater Huntington Council of Yachting and Boating Clubs, and Gina Lieneck, whose daughter’s death inspired Brianna’s Law, at Halesite Marina to announce the increase in enforcement.

Brianna's Law requires all power boaters to complete a New York state-approved boater safety course. The law is named after Lieneck's daughter, Brianna, who died at 11 years of age at the hands of a speeding and intoxicated boater in 2005.