N.Y. Legislators Push For Tougher Drunken Boating Laws
WANTAGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork / AP) - From the Robert Moses Bridge on Long Island, Michelle Mannino had watched in heartache as police searched for her husband's body on June 23.
Police said her husband Christopher was fishing when a drunken boater slammed into him.
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He fell overboard and drowned.
Now the mother of two said something more needs to be done to prevent another similar tragedy.
"Christopher Mannino, you were my world. I was so lucky to have your children. I don't have you now because a selfish careless person found it necessary to be intoxicated on the water and take your life," she told reporters on Thursday.
Now, several New York officials are urging stricter laws and enforcement when it comes to drunken boating.
State Sen. Charles Fuschillo and Assemblyman David McDonough said Thursday that they are introducing several bills in the state Legislature.
They were joined at a press conference Thursday on Long Island by Mannino and her family.
They want to link laws on drunken boating to current drunken driving laws.
One suggestion is to make it a felony if a child is the passenger of an allegedly drunken boater. The so-called Leandra's Law already covers drunken driving offenses for that.
They also want to link drunken driving, drunken boating and drunken snowmobiling when considering charges against repeat offenders. They say each is currently considered separately.
What do you think should be done to combat the problem of drunken boating? Sound off in the comments section below.
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