Senator John A. DeFrancisco announced that his boating safety certificate bill (S2903B) passed the NY State Senate.

The bill would require individuals 21 years of age or younger, who have been subject to a suspension of operating privileges related to alcohol-related boating offenses, to obtain a boating safety certificate before operating a vessel.

“Boating tragedies on Skaneateles and Oneida lakes, as well as the BWI death of Syracuse-resident, Tiffany Heitkamp, have brought the problem of boating while intoxicated to the forefront,” said Senator DeFrancisco.

“It is important to educate those who have already been convicted of BWI, on how to drive a boat safely, in the hopes of preventing future tragedies,” concluded Senator DeFrancisco.

The bill was delivered to the Assembly.