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Commanding Officer Chris Skala speaks at a press conference at Coast Guard Station Shinnecock on May 21. DAN STARK
Suffolk Country District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney speaks at a press conference at Coast Guard Station Shinnecock on May 21. DAN STARK
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney held a press conference at Coast Guard Station Shinnecock on Wednesday, May 21, to discuss the launch of Aqua Alert, a new alert system designed specifically for those who go missing in waterways on the East End.
The alert system, which was developed in partnership with Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr., the East End Marine Law Enforcement Task Force (EEMLETF) and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, is similar to Amber Alerts for children and Silver Alerts for seniors in that the alerts will provide real time information to aid search and rescue efforts on the water. The alerts will be directly broadcast to mobile devices participating in Wireless Emergency Alert (systems) and will include descriptions of the missing persons, their vessels and their last known location. The system is the latest effort to increase partnerships between East End law enforcement agencies through the Task Force.
“Through the Task Force, we’re coordinating efforts to make sure that each of those jurisdictions are cooperating with each other, communicating with each other and making sure that boaters are safe,” said Tierney.
The system is currently being tested on the Long Island Sound but is expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks.
The launch of Aqua Alert comes after the passage of Brianna’s Law in January, which requires that anyone who operates a boat in New York waterways must take an eight hour boating safety course.
Chris Skala, the Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station Shinnecock, also discussed what boaters should do to ensure safety. He emphasized the importance of wearing life jackets when boating, jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding and rafting. He cited Coast Guard statistics that said that in 2024, 75% of boating fatalities came from drowning; among the victims, 85% weren’t wearing life jackets.
Skala also emphasized the importance of boaters having required safety gear on board, including fire extinguishers and water sampling devices, as well as warning against operating vessels under the influence of alcohol.
