Letter to Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr.

Letter

Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr.
Commandant
U.S. Coast Guard
2100 2nd Street, SW
Washington, DC

Dear Commandant Papp:

I write to draw your attention to an issue affecting the residents of Hudson Valley, New York.

For years, boaters on the Hudson River have enjoyed taking their boats out onto the Hudson River to spend time with their families, fish, or just enjoy the great outdoors. In these challenging times, this recreational activity is a cherished one for families in New York.

Unfortunately, this pastime is becoming less enjoyable for boaters. In the past few years, boaters say they have noticed an increase in river traffic, not from additional recreational craft, but from escalated police patrols. Hudson River patrol frequency data from 2011 indicates that approximately twenty-four different public safety agencies are patrolling the Hudson River. Vessel inspection data from 2010 shows that public safety agencies have inspected more than 1,500 vessels, with many vessels being stopped multiple times the same day by various patrols.

However, a recent and deadly accident on the Hudson provided us with a stark reminder that patrolling authorities must remain vigilant. Boating patrols are clearly appropriate and necessary, to protect other recreational boaters as well as nuclear power plants and other facilities that are critical to our national security. We must move forward with a smart, comprehensive strategy that results in sufficient, but not overbearing, boater security on the Hudson.

While safety should be our top priority and our security should never be compromised, it is also important to preserve the rights of responsible boaters to enjoy the Hudson River. Therefore, at this time I ask the Coast Guard to help facilitate better coordination between all of the authorities -- Federal, State, and Local -- who patrol the Hudson River. The Coast Guard has already shown leadership in this area, by utilizing a PDA-based system to track which boats have been inspected and which have not. This allows the Coast Guard to make sure that the boats they need to screen have been screened, but that other boaters who have already been deemed safe are not unnecessarily stopped multiple times while enjoying an afternoon on the river.

I encourage the Coast Guard to take a leading role in developing a system in coordination with state and local authorities with the same goal in mind. Better coordination will help minimize repeated stops that are deemed to be unnecessary and enhance public safety on our waterways, and I respectfully urge you to reach out to state and local patrolling agencies to develop this coordinating public safety system as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me or aide, John Jones, at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

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