Letter to Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant US Coast Guard
Letter
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer asked the U.S. Coast Guard to meet with the Marine Trades Association of New York, Boating Safety Advocates, and local law enforcement to discuss the implementation of an official inspection sticker system that would better coordinate boater patrols on the Hudson, so that boaters are not repeatedly stopped. Schumer believes that this meeting will allow the Coast Guard to work hand-in-glove with law enforcement agencies and put into place the best protocol for ensuring the safety of boaters and our critical infrastructure, while allowing for recreational enjoyment of the Hudson River for both residents and tourists.
Creating a sticker-system that is recognized by all levels of law enforcement has the support of the boating community, and several Hudson Valley law enforcement agencies have expressed an openness to participating in the system. Schumer wants this meeting to happen ahead of the spring boating season, and marks his most recent step in a series of efforts to coordinate all levels of inspection and enforcement of boats on the Hudson River. Schumer noted that not only will the use of a widely recognized inspection sticker minimize the hassle for boaters, but would free up law enforcement officials, and allow their positive influence to be spread more widely throughout the community.
"With spring boating season fast approaching, it is time to jump start an official boat inspection sticker program, which will help prevent repeated boat stoppages on the Hudson River, which are as annoying as they are inefficient," said Schumer. "I am urging the Coast Guard to take the lead on this important initiative by coordinating a meeting with state and local authorities, as well as boater trade and advocacy groups, so that this coordinated inspection program can get off the ground. Rather than screen one boat six times, we need to develop a program to screen six boats one time. By streamlining our inspection process and providing widely recognized inspection stickers, we can provide a better experience for recreational boaters and free up security resources to protect nuclear power plants and bridges, and ensure that the river is safe. As Hudson Valley residents begin undocking their boats for the spring season, now would be the perfect time to implement this inspection program and to reach the maximum number of boats before they head onto the river."
"I look forward to directly discussing with the US Coast Guard ways to implement a yearly safety inspection program so we can assure both safe recreational boating, as well as assure a continued positive boating experience for recreational and family boaters like myself," Lex Filipowski, founder of Freedom To Go Boating. "This will solve the problem of being stopped without probable cause for safety checks while boating since we are often stopped 1,2,3,4 and even 5 times in a single day throughout the boating season for safety checks presently. Implementation of a yearly safety check program will not only create a better experience for boaters but it can also result in significant savings for law enforcement costs in both time and money
Senator Schumer is urging the Coast Guard to meet with all relevant levels of law enforcement, the Marine Trade Association of New York and Boating Safety Advocates this month, so that the stakeholders and enforcement officials can develop a plan for the implementation of a widely recognized boat inspection sticker for boats on the Hudson River. Schumer noted that this meeting is particularly timely, because once this coordination is established the Coast Guard would be able to inspect and dispense stickers to the maximum number of boaters as they undock in anticipation of the spring boating season.
The Coast Guard Auxillary unit currently offers annual inspections that determine basic safety of boats. If a boat is deemed safe to use, based on the security of the hull, sufficient number of life vests, and other inspection points, the boat receives a sticker for that year in the same way that an annual car that has been inspected receives their sticker. However, not all of the nearly two dozen agencies with jurisdiction over the Hudson choose to recognize that sticker as evidence that the boat is safe. By having law enforcement, the Coast Guard Auxillary and Marina Owners working together we can create more educated, and thus safer boaters as well as identify any safety issues or concerns with the boat before they are in the open water -- allowing all parties to work towards a safe solution before any real problems occur. If entities with authority over the Hudson River including state agencies and local sheriffs' departments recognized the stickers, it could significantly reduce the number of unnecessary stoppages. Law enforcement would, of course still be permitted to stop boats without inspection stickers or those boats with stickers who were behaving dangerously, but the stickers could serve as a signal that a boat was structurally safe.
Schumer's push for a meeting involving stakeholder and law enforcement marks a major step in his push for better coordination between all levels of law enforcement in order to boost security and let boaters enjoy their recreation. Last summer, Schumer sent a personal letter to Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert J. Papp after a series of media reports documented concerns over coordination between federal agencies, which had resulted in recreational boaters being stopped multiple times by different agencies on the same day. According to the New York Times, approximately two dozen agencies have jurisdictional responsibility over boating on the Hudson River, including local sheriffs' departments, state agencies, and the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard already uses a PDA system that links up various patrolling boats so that officers know which boats have been screened and cleared, and those that have not. However, state and local agencies do not have a system by which they can keep easy tabs on which boats have been screened, and there appears to be insufficient information sharing between all three levels of local law enforcement. The annual inspection sticker system could potentially fill that void. Schumer noted that not only will the use of a widely recognized inspection sticker minimize hassle for boaters, but would free up law enforcement officials, and allow their positive influence to be spread more widely throughout the community. Schumer's call also follows July 2011's deadly boating accident on the Hudson in which four people were killed.
Since this issue came to light, Schumer has pressed the Coast Guard, the primary enforcement agency for boaters in the Hudson River, to take a lead role in improving coordination between patrolling agencies. He continued, "This meeting of the minds would move the ball forward in developing a sticker inspection process that emphasizes efficiency and safety -- a plan that I believe everyone agree is best for crime prevention, tourism and recreation."
A copy of Senator Schumer's letter appears below:
Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr.
Commandant
US Coast Guard
2100 2nd Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
Dear Commandant Papp:
I write to request a meeting between the Coast Guard, Marine Trades Association of New York, Boating Safety Advocates and Law Enforcement Agencies from throughout the Hudson Valley.
This past summer, I brought to your attention a matter of patrolling issues on the Hudson River, specifically the jurisdiction of multiple law enforcement agencies on the river and their interactions with recreational boaters. As you know, I asked about the possibility of increasing the use of these inspections and their subsequent stickers to increase safety and decrease the need for basic safety stops while on the water.
From my meetings with local stakeholders and family boaters, it has come to my attention that the local coast guard auxiliary offers safety inspections for boaters and issues stickers when these inspections are complete. By inspecting boats before they are on the water, it allows the owner to rectify any issues that may arise as well as ensure their boat is brought to proper safety standards. Similarly, this will allow our law enforcement agencies to focus on more serious threats on the river whether it be unsafe operators, protecting our vulnerable infrastructure and assessing any threats on the Hudson River.
As family boaters, merchants, and law enforcement agencies get ready for the upcoming Spring boating season, I ask that the Coast Guard meet with the Marine Trades Association of New York, Boating Safety Advocates, and local law enforcement to discuss the implementation of an official inspection and issuance of a sticker upon completion of the safety inspection. By preemptively working with boaters, merchants, and law enforcement agencies, the Coast Guard can put into place the best protocol and procedures for ensuring the safety of boaters and our critical infrastructure while allowing for recreational enjoyment of the Hudson River for both residents and tourists.
As you know, the Hudson River is an important tourist and recreational destination for all New Yorkers, and I look forward to working with you as we continue to protect our waters while ensuring boaters have the access to safely enjoy the majestic Hudson River.
Please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, DC office at 202-224-6542 should you have questions or need additional information.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
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