Boating Rules
Please help keep Long Lake boating safe and fun for everyone! Your participation and compliance with current safety rules and regulations on the lake will be greatly appreciated and contribute to an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Spend a few minutes to review the rules below before you head out on the lake.
1. There is a New York State 5 mph speed limit for motorboats and personal water craft (PWC) within 100 feet of any shore, dock, pier, raft, float or anchored boat. (This rule is very important within the "Narrows" of Long Lake just north of the town bridge). The "Narrows" region is only 300 feet wide so boaters are reminded to stay within the central portion of this region if traveling above 5mph. Boaters are reminded to slow down to enter docks and shoreline regions in the Narrows. Tubing and wakeboarding should be conducted outside this region to avoid creating wakes that can potentially upset kayaks and canoes traveling through. PWC creating wakes and sharp turns for enjoyment should also think about traveling into the wider lake areas.
2. Reduce speed and increase distance when near swimmers, canoes, or kayaks. Remember your wake can be dangerous.
3. Speed limit under the Long Lake bridge is 5 mph.
4. Reckless operation of motorboats and PWC is prohibited. This includes weaving through congested traffic, wake jumping, or intentional last minute swerving.
5. Constant circling and figure eights in one area should be avoided.
6. Motorboats and PWC must yield right of way to canoes, kayak, and sailing vessels.
7. It is illegal for any driver to operate a motorboat or PWC while intoxicated or with ability impaired. It is illegal for anyone under 21 years of age to operate a motorboat or PWC after consuming ANY alcohol, and may result in the loss of operating privileges until age 21.
8. Motorboat operators between the ages of 10 and 18 years old MUST have completed a safety course and have a valid NYS Safety Certificate.
9. PWC operators must be at least 14 years old and MUST have a valid NYS Safety Certificate.
10. There must be at least one wearable personal flotation device (PFD) on board all water vessels including canoes and kayaks. Children under 12 are required to wear a PDF when vessel is underway.
11. Operation of PWC is prohibited between sunset and sunrise anywhere in NYS.
PENALTIES
Penalties are substantial for violations of any of these regulations:
Civil Penalties-$125 and loss of operating privileges for 6-12 months
Criminal Penalties- 1st offense - up to $100 fine, 2nd offense - up to $250 fine and/or 15 days in jail
Boat Launches
Long Lake NYS DEC boat launch site with hard surface ramp, room for 60 cars and trailers. Location on Olivet/Dock Road off Route 30 in Long Lake.
Forked Lake State Campground has a New York State boat launch site with beach launch and room for 40 cars and trailers. Location on County Route 3/Buttermilk Falls/Northpoint Rd.
Lake Eaton State Campground NYS DEC beach launch with room for 12 cars and trailers. Location off Route 30 North towards Tupper Lake.
CLEANING YOUR PFD DURING COVID-19:
COVID-19 VIRUS: CLEANING AND STORING YOUR PFD - from the Life Jacket Association (LJA) at www.lifejacketassociation.org
Life jackets should be hand-washed with gloved hands – wash as hot as possible (< 60C) to kill
virus.
Ensuring complete drying is critical, heated air drying is encouraged < 60C
Virus likes moisture and can survive in cold – virus dies by drying out and by heat, which some fibers can enhance.
This pandemic is a new challenge and it is truly not known how all materials and the virus respond to laundry.
If hang to air dry, allow 72 hours (3 days) before reuse.
Do not share garments.
DISCLAIMER: Remember it is not possible to carry out or guarantee complete disinfection, the goal is to minimize risk.
Spend a few minutes to review the rules below before you head out on the lake.
1. There is a New York State 5 mph speed limit for motorboats and personal water craft (PWC) within 100 feet of any shore, dock, pier, raft, float or anchored boat. (This rule is very important within the "Narrows" of Long Lake just north of the town bridge). The "Narrows" region is only 300 feet wide so boaters are reminded to stay within the central portion of this region if traveling above 5mph. Boaters are reminded to slow down to enter docks and shoreline regions in the Narrows. Tubing and wakeboarding should be conducted outside this region to avoid creating wakes that can potentially upset kayaks and canoes traveling through. PWC creating wakes and sharp turns for enjoyment should also think about traveling into the wider lake areas.
2. Reduce speed and increase distance when near swimmers, canoes, or kayaks. Remember your wake can be dangerous.
3. Speed limit under the Long Lake bridge is 5 mph.
4. Reckless operation of motorboats and PWC is prohibited. This includes weaving through congested traffic, wake jumping, or intentional last minute swerving.
5. Constant circling and figure eights in one area should be avoided.
6. Motorboats and PWC must yield right of way to canoes, kayak, and sailing vessels.
7. It is illegal for any driver to operate a motorboat or PWC while intoxicated or with ability impaired. It is illegal for anyone under 21 years of age to operate a motorboat or PWC after consuming ANY alcohol, and may result in the loss of operating privileges until age 21.
8. Motorboat operators between the ages of 10 and 18 years old MUST have completed a safety course and have a valid NYS Safety Certificate.
9. PWC operators must be at least 14 years old and MUST have a valid NYS Safety Certificate.
10. There must be at least one wearable personal flotation device (PFD) on board all water vessels including canoes and kayaks. Children under 12 are required to wear a PDF when vessel is underway.
11. Operation of PWC is prohibited between sunset and sunrise anywhere in NYS.
PENALTIES
Penalties are substantial for violations of any of these regulations:
Civil Penalties-$125 and loss of operating privileges for 6-12 months
Criminal Penalties- 1st offense - up to $100 fine, 2nd offense - up to $250 fine and/or 15 days in jail
Boat Launches
Long Lake NYS DEC boat launch site with hard surface ramp, room for 60 cars and trailers. Location on Olivet/Dock Road off Route 30 in Long Lake.
Forked Lake State Campground has a New York State boat launch site with beach launch and room for 40 cars and trailers. Location on County Route 3/Buttermilk Falls/Northpoint Rd.
Lake Eaton State Campground NYS DEC beach launch with room for 12 cars and trailers. Location off Route 30 North towards Tupper Lake.
CLEANING YOUR PFD DURING COVID-19:
COVID-19 VIRUS: CLEANING AND STORING YOUR PFD - from the Life Jacket Association (LJA) at www.lifejacketassociation.org
- If you think your product has been exposed to a virus, clean as recommended by the manufacturer and then let dry in warm, low humidity environment for at least 72 hours before reuse.
- To clean your inflatable PFD, hand wash or sponge downin warm, soapy water, taking care not to submerge the inflator. Rinse your PFD with clean water and hang to dry on a plastic coat hanger. Do not dry-clean, use chlorine bleach, or apply direct heat.
- Always store your fully dried PFD in a warm, dry, well ventilated place out of direct sunlight.
- Inherently buoyant PFDs (foam) are cleaned in the same manner except they may be fully submerged.
- COVID-19 virus may exist 3 days on or in clothing. Virus can exist longer on porous surfaces.
- Synthetic fabrics, plastic and metal surfaces may harbor the virus longer.
- Buckles, zippers, other hardware and hook/loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro®) are hard to clean due to crevasses and metal/plastic construction.
- Using 60 – 90% solutions of alcohol sprayed/wetted on these components is acceptable.
- Avoid spraying inflatables with specific disinfectants that are detrimental to the fabric. e.g. bleach-based products.
Life jackets should be hand-washed with gloved hands – wash as hot as possible (< 60C) to kill
virus.
Ensuring complete drying is critical, heated air drying is encouraged < 60C
Virus likes moisture and can survive in cold – virus dies by drying out and by heat, which some fibers can enhance.
This pandemic is a new challenge and it is truly not known how all materials and the virus respond to laundry.
If hang to air dry, allow 72 hours (3 days) before reuse.
Do not share garments.
DISCLAIMER: Remember it is not possible to carry out or guarantee complete disinfection, the goal is to minimize risk.
