Gov. Kathy Hochul says she wants the state to have regulatory authority over boats that operate in caves and similar waterways following a fatal tour boat accident in an underground water tunnel off the Erie Canal.
Water reflects the rock of the man-made Lockport Caves in Lockport, N.Y., on Aug. 21, 2014. A boat carrying hospitality workers capsized Monday, June 12, 2023, during a tour of the historic underground cavern system built to carry water from the Erie Canal beneath the western New York city of Lockport, killing one person who became trapped beneath the overturned vessel, officials said. Gov.
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation regulates commercial boats, Hochul's office said, but lacks authority to inspect those operating on non-navigable waters, like in the privately owned Lockport Cave.Earlier this week, a 65-year-old man died and nearly a dozen other passengers were taken to hospitals, mostly with minor injuries, when a flat-bottom boat with 29 people aboard flipped while inside the historic, human-made cavern system in western New York.
After the June 12 accident at the Lockport Cave, a human services agency confirmed that a similar incident had occurred during a 2015 outing for clients and staff. "As we mourn the loss of life resulting from the boat crash in the Lockport Caves, my administration is proposing legislation to prevent future tragedies,” Hochul said in a statement. “The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has the tools to keep us safe and this legislation will ensure they have the legal authority to use these to keep passengers safe on boats in caves.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gov. Kathy Hochul pushes Seneca gaming bill, allowing admin to negotiate in secretA questionable “Message of Necessity” by Hochul appears at odds with her recusal from matters involving pending negotiations with the Seneca Tribe on its expiring gambling compact with …
Read more »
Lt. Gov. calls on Gov. Abbott, Texas House to support Senate plan to lower property taxesLIVE NOW Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is speaking in Dallas, he's expected to address the ongoing dispute over property tax legislation. Watch live
Read more »
DeSantis dares Newsom to challenge Biden in 2024 presidential race'Stop pussyfooting around,” the Republican governor of Florida said. “Are you gonna throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe?'
Read more »
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urges Gov. Greg Abbott to endorse Senate’s property tax planPatrick also asked Abbott to stop vetoing Senate bills for political leverage, and he demanded House members return to Austin for the ongoing special session.
Read more »
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at odds with Gov. Abbott, House speaker over property tax reliefPatrick is traveling the state to make his case, stopping Thursday in Dallas. He says they refuse to compromise on how best to provide tax relief to homeowners.
Read more »