Abinanti Urges State Senate Passage of Boat Safety Bill
~~~ Claims victory in Assembly

Thomas J. Abinanti, Westchester County Board of Legislators: Legislator-District 12

GREENBURGH, NY -- May 22, 2003 -- County Legislator Tom Abinanti (D, WF-Greenburgh) and his fellow legislators are urging the New York State Senate to pass legislation which would require insurance rate reductions for boat owners who successfully complete a state approved safety course.

We have been pushing for state legislation to improve boater safety for a long time, said Legislator Abinanti who represents Hudson River villages throughout the Town of Greenburgh. With Assemblywoman Sandra Galef (D-Ossining) leadership the Assembly has passed a bill (A6878) which would finally do just that.

Assemblywoman Galef stated, “I am delighted the Assembly passed my boating safety bill and call upon the Senate to do the same. Those who take an approved boating safety course will reduce their boating insurance premiums, while making our waterways safer. We are seeing an increase in traffic on our lakes and rivers, with more accidents, injuries and loss of life. It is time to reverse that trend and I believe this bill will do that.

On April 11 2003 a companion bill (S4247) was introduced in the Senate by Senator Guy Velella (R, C-Bronx) and is currently pending before the insurance committee.

The State Senate must act now to help protect the lives of those who use New York waterways, urged Abinanti who teaches a Red Cross certified sailing and water safety course on the Hudson River.


Boating Bill Support Letter

May 19, 2003

Senator Nicholas A. Spano
Room 509 LOB
Albany, NY 12247

Dear Senator Spano,

The Westchester County Board of Legislators urges the New York State Senate to pass legislation requiring insurance rate reductions to boat owners who successfully complete a state approved safety course (S4247-Velella). The Assembly has already passed such legislation (A6878-Galef)

The noticeable increase in boat traffic on New York waterways has caused a significant rise in accidents. We need to place more emphasis on accident prevention through education. Both New Jersey and Connecticut already require boat operators to pass an approved boating safety course.

Please pass this legislation to promote a better educated boating community and safer waterways.

Sincerely,


CC: Majority Leader Bruno
New York State Senate Delegation
Assemblywoman Sandra Galef