Lockport, N.Y. (WBEN) - Unanimous, bipartisan legislation coming out of a tragic situation in Lockport will soon be signed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul that specifically aims to address assurance of oversight for unique, "non-navigable waterway" vessel attractions like Lockport Cave tour boats.
State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, alongside Assemblymen Mike Norris and Angelo Morinello, spoke in Lockport on Wednesday to legislation now passed in the State Legislature that will address the gray area in oversight for non-navigable waterway attractions that arose following a capsizing of a Lockport Cave boat last June, leading to the death of a 56-year-old Niagara Falls man, Harshad-Kumar Shah.
"This had to get done," said Sen. Ortt. "We want to make sure when people are on this ride, they have the confidence in knowing there's been regular inspections, and there's a state agency that has oversight, and I think this bill definitely accomplishes both of those things."
Once passed by Hochul, this legislation defines that the state's Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is tasked with the annual inspections of the Lockport Cave and similar businesses, the bill also adds penalties for non-compliance.
"I would like to thank Gov. Hochul for sponsoring the bill that she's put forth, the program bill. Also the chair of the Tourism Committee, Danny O'Donnell, Assemblymember from Manhattan, who I worked very closely with, to make sure we got this done by the end of session. We've taken this issue very seriously in the hopes of preventing future tragedies," added Assemblyman Norris. "This will be good for the business operators and patrons going forward."
Norris also highlighted the bipartisan effort for this legislation proposal, Ortt noting that he and Gov. Hochul had several discussions on prioritizing legislation pertaining to the Lockport Cave attraction.
Sen. Ortt also added he spoke with the owners of the Lockport Cave tour attraction and they have said they will not be doing the cave tours this year. However, this does not mean their cave tour closure is permanent.
"They wanted all of this to get settled, squared away, fixed. And then maybe next year, open that part of the [business] back up," said Ortt.
Fittingly, this advocational announcement comes exactly one year since the capsizing incident.