SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant shared boating safety reminders on Sunday after a boat with six people and a dog capsized last Wednesday on Saratoga Lake.
Dozens of families, fishermen and boats filled the Saratoga Lake Boat Launch Sunday afternoon.
“Its one of the nicer days we’ve had so far this summer so yes, its probably going to be busy out here today,” said Sergeant Chris Kyne with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.
Kyne’s job is to patrol the waters, especially on busy days like Sunday. He said he is mainly looking for either impaired boaters or boaters in distress.
This comes after a boat filled with six people and a dog capsized last Wednesday on the Saratoga Lake. The Quaker Springs Fire Department was first on the scene. But Sgt. Kyne said it was two passing boats that helped bring most of the people to shore first.
“There were two pontoon boats that helped out that boarded people on board. Three in one boat and I think the fire boat took the other three,” said Kyne. “Boater etiquette: people see boats in distress they go help them out.”
Kyne said according to their investigation, they believe the group of people were tubing on the boat before it capsized.
“As it was doing that, it was up on plane, and it decelerated the boat which dumped the pontoon in the water, which caused the boat to flip,” said Kyne.
This was the first time Kyne had responded to a capsized boat like this in his four years patrolling the lake. Therefore, he said it is not common, however there are still some things people should know when they’re out on the water.
“Pay attention to the no wake areas, be cognizant of other boaters on the water, especially paddleboarders and kayakers, you don’t always see them right away ’til you get up on top of them,” said Kyne.
He also said it’s important to always be responsible and stay hydrated. This year, New York State is requiring a boater safety card — which is a course all boaters must complete before getting on the water. This ensures everyone is on the same page with boat safety and guidance. Kyne said this is one of the bigger things he will be looking for throughout the summer.
“It gives everybody kind of a uniform guidance on how to operate the boat on New York State waterways,” said Kyne.
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