Lockport, N.Y. (WBEN) - The New York State Assembly passed a bill on Tuesday that will require annual state inspection of any vessel operated on private or publicly owned underground waterways. This legislation comes following last year's accident of a boat capsizing during a Lockport Cave tour, resulting in the death of a man.
"By passing this legislation, it will be very clear that the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation will now have oversight through the inspector's office, and I think this is a good thing for both the businesses and the patrons going forward. People will feel comfortable knowing that the vessels will be inspected, at least, on an annual basis. They also have authority to do it throughout the course of the year if they need to," said Assemblyman Mike Norris (R, C-Lockport) in an interview with WBEN.
Norris, alongside Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt (R, C-North Tonawanda) introduced legislation last June that looked to address the confusion over who was in charge of overseeing and ensuring the safety of passengers on "man-made mechanical boat attractions on man-made waterways" as state inspectors determined no agency was ever tasked with doing so.
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The bill will now be sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul for signing.
"I'm very confident she'll sign the bill, since it was her program bill," Norris added. "I'm happy to have worked in a bipartisan manner with the Governor's Office, as well as Senator Rob Ortt and the chairs of the respective committees and tourism in both houses."
The assemblyman notes there will be a 90-day transitional period once the bill becomes law.