Following a recent tour of the Mohawk Harbor and a ride-along with the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Unit, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara is now calling on the Governor to sign a bill that will be on his desk soon.

With the recent boating accidents we have seen just this year and traffic expected to increase dramatically with the development of Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady, the legislation (A.1597-A/ S.3785-A) would improve boating while intoxicated (BWI) laws to align with current driving while intoxicated (DWI) laws in place on the road.

Assemblyman Santabarbara joined the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Unit Friday morning at Gateway Landing-Rotary Park in Schenectady to call for the signing of the bill, which passed both houses unanimously this past session. The legislation would require the courts to consider previous DWI convictions going as far back as 10 years when sentencing an offender for BWI, making repeat offenders of BWI and DWI subject to higher penalties.

“As the Mohawk River waterfront becomes more accessible than ever with the Mohawk Harbor project nearing completion at the Rivers Casino site, it is expected to draw regional traffic as a premier tourist destination in our area. Boater traffic is expected to increase dramatically, and the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol is doing its part to prepare with increased coverage planned as I saw firsthand on our recent ride-along patrol together,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “With this in mind, we must do all we can to ensure our local law enforcement have the tools to keep our roads and also our waterway safe. This legislation would strengthen existing BWI laws as we have done on our roadways to address dangerous behavior and hold people accountable for their actions.”

Schenectady County Sheriff Dominic Dagostino said, “Just as driving while intoxicated threatens the safety of everyone on the road, boating while intoxicated is an act that puts everyone on the water at risk, and it must be taken seriously. The Schenectady County Sheriff’s Department thanks Assemblyman Santabarbara for his work to strengthen penalties for those who drink before getting behind the helm of a vessel and his ongoing support for our efforts to keep the Mohawk River safe for all boaters.”