Patchogue Bay Power Squadron's 2021 Boating Safety Week

Press release from the Patchogue Bay Power Squadron:

May 10, 2021

Patchogue Bay Power Squadron’s 2021 Boating Safety Week Event will occur on May 22 nd at
Sandspit Marina in Patchogue. This is an annual event held in support of the worldwide annual
celebration of Boating Safety Week (for 2021 BSW is May 22 nd through May 28 th ).

Our members will be meeting at 9 am to take a group photo of the squadron to show our support
for BSW. Members will be wearing life jackets to demonstrate support for the BSW ‘Wear It’
campaign.

After the photo, our Safety Officer Bill Beckert ( Department) a member of the Holbrook Fire
Department) will be demonstrating the proper way to use flares, and the proper way to use fire
extinguishers to put out a fire.

Our Vessel Safety Inspectors will also be on site, and prepared to perform free Vessel Safety
Checks for vessel at the marina. The Power Squadron follows the US Coast Guard program for
VSC, and issues the same sticker for vessels that pass inspection.

This free event is open to the public, and is suitable for children. All are welcome to attend.

Patchogue Bay Power Squadron would greatly appreciate it if you would cover our event – with
more boaters on the water than ever, promoting boating safety is vital for the Long Island
boating community.

Sandspit Park Beach & Marina is located on the Patchogue River in the Village of Patchogue in Suffolk County, New York. Sandspit is on Brightwood Street off Ceder Ave directly south of the
Patchogue Long Island Rail Road Station. The address is 116 Brightwood St, Patchogue, NY
11772.

About Boating Safety Week:
Boating Safety Week is a worldwide event sponsored in the USA by the National Safe Boating
Council. BSW is a worldwide effort focused on responsible boating, encouraging boaters to
always wear a life jacket while on the water.

About Patchogue Bay Power Squadron:
The United States Power Squadron Power and Sail organization, also known as USPS, is
comprised of 451 squadrons in 33 Districts.

Patchogue Bay Power Squadron is one of sixteen squadrons in District 3 encompassing an area
from Brooklyn to Montauk Point. USPS is dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable
by teaching classes in Seamanship, Navigation, and related subjects. Our members are boating
families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education.
Although our main objective is education and safe boating, we also like to enjoy ourselves by
planning boating events (i.e. cruises, picnics, raft ups), helping our community and just enjoying
each other's company.

Patchogue Bay Power Squadron meetings are usually held on the 2nd Friday of each month from
September to June. We meet at 2000 (8:00 p.m.) at Suffolk Boat Club located on Crescent Street
off River Avenue in Patchogue. Patchogue Bay has resumed Live Meetings (with Covid-19
safety measures in place), and also provide a virtual attendance option. Membership is by
application and is for anyone who shares our common love of boating. We offer courses to those
who wish to enhance their knowledge of boating and how to boat safely.

Patchogue Bay Power Squadron has partnered with the venerable Long Island Maritime Museum
to offer our ABC Boating Class, which teaches basic boating skills and earns attendees who pass
the examination the NYS Boating Certificate. New York law (Brianna’s Law) requires all
persons operating motorized watercraft born on or after Jan. 1, 1993 to carry the State Boating
Safety Certificate. The ABC Course is taught by live instructors who are experienced boaters,
and includes reference materials that can be used on an ongoing basis. The course is given over
two days, each session lasting approximately 6 hours. The next scheduled classes will occur on:
 May 22 and 25
 June 12 and 16

This press release was produced by the Patchogue Bay Power Squadron. The views expressed here are the author’s own.