Outcome of court case involving fatal Brick boating accident helped spur action on legislation
A bill that would increase the penalties for leaving the scene of a boating accident that results in a serious or fatal injury passed a state Senate panel Monday.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. James Holzapfel (R-Ocean) would plug what many say is a hole in the law that subjects those who leave the scene of such accidents to a fine of just $25, compared with potential jail time if the accident had occurred in an automobile rather than a boat. The bill was approved Monday by the Senate's Law and Public Safety Committee.
Holzapfel's bill changes the law to make the penalties for leaving the scene of a serious or fatal boat accident the same as doing so in an automobile accident. If the accident results in serious bodily injury, a person who leaves the scene could face a third degree criminal charge, punishable by three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
If the accident results in a person's death, the charge would be upgraded to the second degree, bringing with it a potential five to 10 year prison term and a fine of up to $250,000.
"Jail time is a necessary punishment for offenders who knowingly leave the scene of the accident," Holzapfel said in a statement Monday afternoon. "We want our residents to put safety first when heading out onto the water and understand that they are responsible for their craft and searching for other injured parties."
The legislation was introduced, he said, in response to a 2008 fatal boating accident on the Metedeconk River in Brick.
In that accident, a 27-foot Imperial performance boat collided with a 17-foot Boston Whaler, killing Essex Fells resident Robert Post, who was at the helm of the Whaler. The Imperial, being operated by Anthony DiGilio of Brick, did not stop or render assistance.
DiGilio would later tell authorities he did not know he hit another boat. He was eventually charged with vehicular homicide but was acquitted following a trial that concluded April 23.
DiGilio did not face a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, however the maximum penalty if he was convicted would have been the $25 fine.
Holzapfel's legislation had languished for several years before the conclusion of the DiGilio case, at which point it picked up steam. The chairman of the Senate's Law and Public Safety Committee, Sen. Donald Norcross (D-Camden, Gloucester) eventually co-sponsored the bill.
Robert Post's widow, Bonnie Post, testified at Monday's Senate hearing, Holzapfel's office said.
A companion bill is pending in the state General Assembly.
Welcome to the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 12 First Southern Region.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Bill Toughening Penalty for Leaving the Scene of Boating Accidents Advances
Thursday, May 30, 2013
NOAA Predicts Active 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes continues
May 23, 2013
Hurricane Sandy as seen from NOAA's GOES-13 satellite on October 28, 2012.
Download here (Credit:NOAA/NASA)
In its 2013 Atlantic hurricane season outlook issued today, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center is forecasting an active or extremely active season this year.
For the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1, NOAA's Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook says there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher).
These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
"With the devastation of Sandy fresh in our minds, and another active season predicted, everyone at NOAA is committed to providing life-saving forecasts in the face of these storms and ensuring that Americans are prepared and ready ahead of time." said Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., NOAA acting administrator. "As we saw first-hand with Sandy, it's important to remember that tropical storm and hurricane impacts are not limited to the coastline. Strong winds, torrential rain, flooding, and tornadoes often threaten inland areas far from where the storm first makes landfall."
Three climate factors that strongly control Atlantic hurricane activity are expected to come together to produce an active or extremely active 2013 hurricane season. These are:
- A continuation of the atmospheric climate pattern, which includes a strong west African monsoon, that is responsible for the ongoing era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995;
- Warmer-than-average water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea; and
- El Niño is not expected to develop and suppress hurricane formation.
"This year, oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the Atlantic basin are expected to produce more and stronger hurricanes," said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. "These conditions include weaker wind shear, warmer Atlantic waters and conducive winds patterns coming from Africa."
NOAA's seasonal hurricane outlook is not a hurricane landfall forecast; it does not predict how many storms will hit land or where a storm will strike. Forecasts for individual storms and their impacts will be provided throughout the season by NOAA's National Hurricane Center.
New for this hurricane season are improvements to forecast models, data gathering, and the National Hurricane Center communication procedure for post-tropical cyclones. In July, NOAA plans to bring online a new supercomputer that will run an upgraded Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) model that provides significantly enhanced depiction of storm structure and improved storm intensity forecast guidance.
Also this year, Doppler radar data will be transmitted in real time from NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft. This will help forecasters better analyze rapidly evolving storm conditions, and these data could further improve the HWRF model forecasts by 10 to 15 percent.
The National Weather Service has also made changes to allow for hurricane warnings to remain in effect, or to be newly issued, for storms like Sandy that have become post-tropical. This flexibility allows forecasters to provide a continuous flow of forecast and warning information for evolving or continuing threats.
"The start of hurricane season is a reminder that our families, businesses and communities need to be ready for the next big storm," said Joe Nimmich, FEMA associate administrator for Response and Recovery. "Preparedness today can make a big difference down the line, so update your family emergency plan and make sure your emergency kit is stocked. Learn more about how you can prepare for hurricane season at www.ready.gov/hurricanes."
Next week, May 26 - June 1, is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. To help those living in hurricane-prone areas prepare, NOAA is offering hurricane preparedness tips, along with video and audio public service announcements in both English and Spanish, featuring NOAA hurricane experts and the FEMA administrator at www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/.
NOAA's outlook for the Eastern Pacific basin is for a below-normal hurricane season and the Central Pacific basin is also expected to have a below-normal season. NOAA will issue an updated outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season in early August, just prior to the historical peak of the season.
NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.
(Article by NOAA) and Offered by Gerard Andrews, DCDR Division 14
Sector NY - South, 1SR
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Memorial Day at NYC's USS INTREPID Air & Space Museum
| The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum kicks-off our annual Summer Salute to Heroes with a Memorial Day Weekend celebration to salute our armed forces, to be held from May 24 - May 28, 2013. The celebration is dedicated to honoring heroes past and present, and inspiring those of the future. All Memorial Day Weekend activities are free and open to the public. |
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| Many fan-favorite activities will be held at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Pier 86 (46 Street and 12 Avenue, Manhattan). Some of this year's special events and performances include: |
DCAPT Sector NY-S, 1SR
US Coast Guard Auxiliary
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Memorial Day Weekend at the American Air Power Museum
1st Southern Region
646-523-1213
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Division 12 Guest
(photos: Hope Wright, USCG Aux, D1SR Public Affairs)
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
USCG Lightship Nantucket
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(photos: Hope Wright, USCG Aux, D1SR Public Affairs) |
Nantucket
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