Free Boat Safety Courses in Dutchess County

If you are planning on hitting the water this summer, these courses will help make sure your safe and boating legally.

According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office has announced that they will be hosting a bunch of boating safety courses in March. The safety courses will be educating boaters about how important safety is while on the water.

The courses will also explain to boaters how to operate their boats legally per Brianna's Law, which was created in the early 2000's after 11-year-old Long Island resident Brianna Lieneck was tragically killed in a boating accident in 2005.

Dutchess County Sheriff spokesman Lt. Shawn Castano, told the Journal that starting in late April, deputies will start going to local marinas and boat clubs to conduct courtesy boat inspections during the boating season.

He also said, "We check to make sure they have their safety equipment on board that they need, such as life jackets, fire extinguishers and things of that nature, if they are compliant, we give them a sticker on their boat to show their compliance to law enforcement vessels."

The free safety courses will be held on the following dates:

March 21st from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.at the New Hamburg Yacht Club, 6 Water St. Wappingers Falls
April 18th and May 16th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Center, 108 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie
June 6th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Roger's Point Boat Association, 190 River Road, Hyde Park

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