Contact:
Mary Austerman, Great Lakes Coastal Community Specialist, P: 315-331-8415, E: mp357@cornell.edu
Newark, NY, June 10, 2019 - Watercraft inspection is the act of looking for, removing and properly disposing of unwanted aquatic hitchhiking debris. The reason that watercraft inspection is important is because it helps to prevent the spread of unwanted aquatic invasive species.
01. Before interacting with boaters
As a steward, there are some things that you should be thinking about before you’re interacting with boaters. Some of them include making sure that your appearance is professional. It is important to remember that you are representing not only the organizations that you’re working for, but also the other watercraft inspection programs across the state.
02. Before conducting a watercraft inspection
Before you conduct a watercraft inspection, make sure that you are familiar with your boat launch, as well as ways traffic will be moving at the launch. These are busy places and there are a lot of moving parts.
03. Conducting a watercraft inspection
When you come back from using the water, make sure that you’re checking anything that’s come in contact with or has the ability to hold water. The reason for this is because a lot of the aquatic invasive species are microscopic so you want to look for, remove and properly dispose of any debris or water that you have either come in contact with, or you’re holding in anything like a live well. As part of the statewide effort to standardize watercraft inspection in New York State, we’re all using “Clean. Drain. Dry.” Messaging, which is part of the national Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers campaign.
04. After conducting a watercraft inspection
When you are finished with your inspection it’s always good to make sure that you and the person that you are interviewing agree that the inspection is over. At that time make sure that you hand them your distributional materials, thank them for their time and be on your way. It’s also good to make sure that you have eye shot of the person that’s driving the vehicle and they know that you are clear of the vehicle and the trailer before they pull away.
05. Additional safety precautions
Another safety precaution is to have a fully charged cell phone with you. If at any time your safety feels compromised, leave the site and call your supervisor.
More on Aquatic Invasive Species at www.nyseagrant.org/ais, www.nyseagrant.org/watercraftinspection and www.nyis.info.
More Info: New York Sea Grant
New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University
and the State University of New York (SUNY), is one of 33 university-based
programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s
National Sea Grant College Program.
Since 1971, NYSG has represented a statewide network of integrated
research, education and extension services promoting coastal community
economic vitality, environmental sustainability and citizen awareness
and understanding about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources.
Through NYSG’s efforts, the combined talents of university scientists
and extension specialists help develop and transfer science-based
information to many coastal user groups—businesses and industries,
federal, state and local government decision-makers and agency managers,
educators, the media and the interested public.
The program maintains Great Lakes offices at Cornell University, SUNY
Buffalo, SUNY Oswego and the Wayne County Cooperative Extension office
in Newark. In the State's marine waters, NYSG has offices at Stony Brook
University in Long Island, Brooklyn College and Cornell Cooperative
Extension in NYC and Kingston in the Hudson Valley.
For updates on Sea Grant activities: www.nyseagrant.org has RSS, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube links. NYSG offers a free e-list sign up via www.nyseagrant.org/nycoastlines for its flagship publication, NY Coastlines/Currents, which is published quarterly. Our program also produces an occasional e-newsletter,"NOAA Sea Grant's Social Media Review," via its blog, www.nyseagrant.org/blog.
