LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (WPIX) -
For many the Fourth of July weekend means party time. But if you're heading out on the water, police want to remind you to have fun and be responsible.
Like on the roads, patrols on Long Island waterways are being ramped up on both the North Shore and South Shore, in both Suffolk and Nassau counties.
Cops are looking to crack down on drunk boaters and any type of reckless behavior, whether on a boat or a jet ski. Don't even be surprised to see safety check points set up on the water. That's just fine for boaters like Jennifer Stucchio, who plans on being out with her husband and daughter Maggie.
"We try not to go out really far on holidays because we know there a lot of people out there that are not always as safe as they can be," Stucchio told PIX News. "So, we stay close."
The extra patrols are also a welcomed sight for some seasoned sailors.
"We enjoy our time on the water and we don't like watching for the other guy coming toward us and having to get out of the way quick because they're intoxicated," said Pat Barone.
Her husband, George Barone, agrees adding, "Anyone can drive an outboard or a motorboat or a sailboat there is no real licensing at all, it's a free-for-all."
Unlike a car there is no open bottle law for boats.
"It's kind of a Catch 22 for what we're trying to get across as a message," said Suffolk County Marine Police Officer Michael Axelson. "You can have it on your boat, you just can't operate intoxicated or impaired."
If you get caught boating while intoxicated you pretty much face the exact same penalties for driving while intoxicated. You'll get thrown in jail and can have your boat seized.
Russ Greco enjoys boating and the occasional drink. Just not at the same time.
"I have a beer when I get back on the dock, maybe two," said Greco.
Like on the roads, patrols on Long Island waterways are being ramped up on both the North Shore and South Shore, in both Suffolk and Nassau counties.
Cops are looking to crack down on drunk boaters and any type of reckless behavior, whether on a boat or a jet ski. Don't even be surprised to see safety check points set up on the water. That's just fine for boaters like Jennifer Stucchio, who plans on being out with her husband and daughter Maggie.
"We try not to go out really far on holidays because we know there a lot of people out there that are not always as safe as they can be," Stucchio told PIX News. "So, we stay close."
The extra patrols are also a welcomed sight for some seasoned sailors.
"We enjoy our time on the water and we don't like watching for the other guy coming toward us and having to get out of the way quick because they're intoxicated," said Pat Barone.
Her husband, George Barone, agrees adding, "Anyone can drive an outboard or a motorboat or a sailboat there is no real licensing at all, it's a free-for-all."
Unlike a car there is no open bottle law for boats.
"It's kind of a Catch 22 for what we're trying to get across as a message," said Suffolk County Marine Police Officer Michael Axelson. "You can have it on your boat, you just can't operate intoxicated or impaired."
If you get caught boating while intoxicated you pretty much face the exact same penalties for driving while intoxicated. You'll get thrown in jail and can have your boat seized.
Russ Greco enjoys boating and the occasional drink. Just not at the same time.
"I have a beer when I get back on the dock, maybe two," said Greco.
