Activities, Classes, More For Safe Boating Week

Huntington’s involvement in the nationally-recognized Safe Boating Week begins this Saturday and continues through Friday.

Boating safety at the start of the boating season is the theme of the sixth annual Safe Boating Week, which begins Saturday and continues through Friday.

The week of events and messaging is jointly sponsored by the Town of Huntington and the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs.

 “The Town of Huntington is excited to partner again with the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs to highlight Safe Boating Week and an exciting Waterfront Festival,” said Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci. “As a coastal town, we are committed to promoting boating safety, and I encourage all of our residents to stop by to enjoy the festival and take advantage of the many learning opportunities offered throughout Safe Boating Week.”

Huntington’s involvement in the nationally-recognized safe boating week began in the year following a fatal July 4, 2012 boating disaster in the waters of Oyster Bay Harbor off of Lloyd Neck. Three children were killed after a 34-foot cabin cruiser they were aboard capsized during a fireworks display.

Lupinacci and officials from the Suffolk Police Marine Bureau and Bay Constable were expected to announce Wednesday plans to increase enforcement against unsafe and intoxicated boating in town waterways, but the press conference was canceled due to weather and rescheduled for next week.

One of Safe Boating Week’s most popular events has been the annual Waterfront Festival, which this year will be held Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Mill Dam Park in Halesite.

This year’s Festival will feature live music by King Wellington, who will perform on the Town of Huntington’s Showmobile Stage.

There will also be a variety of food, craft beer courtesy of Oyster Bay Brewing Co., and wines.

The festival also includes participation by boat dealers, displays by marine equipment vendors, fishing gear, nautical home decor, antiques and the works of local artists and craftsmen, along with attractions and amusements for children.

“We are very grateful for the community’s response to the concept of Huntington Safe Boating Week,” said Jackie Martin, executive officer of the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs, and event chairperson. “Through the boating council’s efforts and support of the Town of Huntington and our generous sponsors, the event has continued to grow and we have been able to offer more free classes to our boating community. We welcome all residents and their families to the Waterfront Festival which has become increasingly popular as the kick off to boating season and a venue showcasing local yacht dealers, artists and crafters.”

Huntington’s Safe Boating Week includes a free eight-hour New York State Boating Safety course, courtesy vessel safety inspections by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadron, as well as courses, lectures and seminars on a range of topics.

For further information about classes and boat inspections, see the calendar below, visit Huntingtonsafeboatingweek.com or email info@huntingtonboatingcouncil.org.

Editor's note: The headline for the print version of this story, which appears in the May 17, 2018 Long Islander, incorrectly states that Safe Boating Week begins Friday.
It begins Saturday and continues through Friday.