Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Both the Erie and Niagara County Sheriff's Office kicked off National Safe Boating Week on Monday at the Harbor Place Marina in Buffalo.
Erie County Sheriff John Garcia says some of boating laws changed this year, and boaters should be aware of them before going out on the water.
"One of them is anybody born on or before Jan. 1 of 1978, you need a boating safety certificate," Garcia stated during a press conference. "Starting next year Jan. 1, everyone will have to have a boating safety certificate. If you go 'Boat US' online, you can get one free of charge. It gives everybody that knowledge about the basic rules about boating."
Garcia explains it's extremely important to be responsible while out on the water, and the captain of every boat has an obligation to make sure every passenger stays safe.
"It's a big responsibility when you take people out on the water. You're the captain, and he or she is responsible for everyone on board," Garcia stated. "We want you to have a good time. At the same time, you've got to remember, it's the same as driving on the roadways. If you're intoxicated, do not get out there. If you're going by any anchored vessel, a kayak, a float, whatever it is, it's a five mile per hour speed limit."
Niagara County Sherriff Michael Filicetti also expressed the importance of having all of the proper safety equipment on each boat.
"We don't want to have to come out and enforce laws and write tickets," said Filicetti during Monday's press conference. "Voluntary compliance is always better. We will be out on the water doing inspections, volunteer inspections, maybe at the launch ramps as well. Just checking boats before they even hit the water."