What's happening
This bill allows law enforcement and fire department vessels to disregard certain navigation laws during emergencies, provided safety precautions are observed.
Why it matters
Aims to improve emergency response on the water. by allowing police and fireboats to bypass normal navigation rules when responding to urgent situations, similar to how emergency vehicles operate on roads.
Requires clear signals and warning devices. such as audible alarms (sirens, horns) and visible flashing blue or red lights—so other boaters are aware an emergency vessel is operating outside normal navigation laws.
Maintains accountability for safety. by mandating that operators of these vessels still act with reasonable care and can be held liable for reckless or dangerous actions, even in emergencies.
Could impact recreational and commercial boaters. by increasing the need for vigilance and awareness when emergency vessels are present, potentially reducing response times in life-threatening situations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Emergency Vessels Get Exemption
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Emergency Boat Law Exemption
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Jim Gaughran
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7931
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE, MONTESANO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the navigation law, in relation to providing an exemption from certain laws for operators of law enforcement and fire department vessels responding to emergencies on the navigable waters of the state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The navigation law is amended by adding a new section 39-b to read as follows:
§ 39-b. Law enforcement and fire department vessels. 1. The operator of a law enforcement or fire department vessel, when involved in an emergency operation on the navigable waters of the state, may exercise the privileges set forth in subdivision two of this section, but subject to the conditions set forth in subdivisions three and four of this section.
2. The operator of a law enforcement or fire department vessel may disregard any law, rule or regulation of this state or any local law or ordinance of a municipality of this state governing the movement or turning of vessels upon such navigable waters.
3. The privileges granted to the operator of a law enforcement or fire department vessel pursuant to this section shall apply only when audible signals are sounded from any such vessel while in motion by bell, horn, siren, electronic device or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably necessary, and when the vessel is equipped with at least one lighted lamp so that from any direction, under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet from such vessel, at least one blue or red light will be displayed and visible.
4. The provisions of this section shall not relieve the operator of a law enforcement or fire department vessel from the duty to operate such vessel with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the operator from the consequences of his or her reckless disregard for the safety of others.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09302-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.