Bridgehampton, New York – Officials say the biggest risks for recreational boaters include drinking alcohol while driving, lack of experience and piloting error.
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office in New York accompanied Fox News Digital with its Port Guard in waters off the Hamptons earlier this month.
All in all, it was a quiet day at sea: no arrests, no emergencies, which meant no drownings.
“I think the biggest misconception about the sheriff’s office is that we’re not here to ruin a good time,” said Sergeant Michael Letcher, who has 24 years of service, nearly half of them on the water. “We want to make sure everyone is operating their boat safely and wearing their safety gear. We’re not there to ruin your day. We want to make sure everyone is safe and gets home safe and has a great day.”
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The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit patrols Great Peconic Bay in Suffolk County, New York, on August 2. (Steven Yang for Fox News Digital)
Letcher’s crew was prepared for boarding and other enforcement actions, but he said they were meant to promote safety and not “ruin” anyone’s day.
In a worst-case scenario, emergency rescue operations could be necessary, and Letcher said he’s seen some tragic cases in his 10 years as a Marine Patrol officer, including a fatal plane crash and a child drowning.
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit patrols Great Peconic Bay in Suffolk County, New York, on August 2. (Steven Yang for Fox News Digital)
While drinking and driving can be a safety risk, officials told Fox News Digital that the biggest danger is unfamiliarity with ocean conditions, lack of experience on the water and lack of knowledge of how to navigate the waterways.
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“The difference between roads and waterways is that roads are more specific, roads obviously have lines, waterways don’t have lines,” Letcher said. “There are just buoys to get you back and forth. And if people are not familiar with the waterways, for example, and they’re coming from the west side onto the East End waterways … it’s inherently dangerous.”
On August 2, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit stopped a boat in Great Peconic Bay in Suffolk County, New York, for an incorrect registration sticker. After a safety inspection of the boat, no citations were issued and the boat was allowed to depart. (Steven Yang for Fox News Digital)
Letcher said the sheriff’s office also assists when foreign vessels arrive in Hamptons waters.
“We have a lot of boats coming from the Bahamas, they’re big yachts, usually captained,” he said, “and they need a cruising permit to come into New York waters, they’re listing themselves in New York waters, and the sheriff’s office actually checks that… in coordination with Customs and Border Protection.” [Protection] agent.”
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit patrols Great Peconic Bay in Suffolk County, New York, on August 2. (Steven Yang for Fox News Digital)
According to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), alcohol was the leading factor in boating fatalities last year, killing 79 people nationwide, or 17 percent of all boating fatalities. Other leading causes of accidents included inexperience, carelessness and equipment failure.
Still, the number of boating deaths last year was down more than 11% compared with 2022.
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit patrols Great Peconic Bay in Suffolk County, New York, on August 2. (Steven Yang for Fox News Digital)
According to USCG statistics, 75% of recreational boating fatalities are caused by operators who have not taken boating safety courses.
“Anyone can buy a boat, whether they take a safety course or not, it’s not necessarily going to make them a better boater,” Letcher said.
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Three-quarters of recreational boating fatalities were due to drowning, and 87% of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.
