Letters to the Rockville Centre Herald July 12, 2012

Boaters need to be licensed

To the Editor:

It often takes a tragedy to wake us up and make us think.

This Fourth of July was marred by the tragic death of three precious children when the boat on which they were watching fireworks capsized near Oyster Bay.

The boat was a 34-footer, a yacht, known to be top-heavy, and according to its maker, Silverton, it probably should have had no more than 10 people on board. It had 27.

An already “tippy” boat, overloaded with passengers, sitting in waters roiled by a hundred or so boats all leaving at the same time … this is the recipe for disaster. If you don’t know how to handle a boat in these conditions, you’re putting your life and the lives of others in jeopardy.

Like cars, like motorcycles, like planes, people need to be trained and licensed before they can step aboard a boat and set sail. Too many people with no knowledge of the sea are out there on Long Island waters. The pilot of this boat said the “wave came and turned him.” Well, yes, when there are waves, you need to be actively steering the bow into each one; a top-heavy, overloaded boat cannot be allowed to take a single wave broadside.

I have safely taken a 19-foot boat into Hell Gate; into New York Harbor among ferries, cargo ships and tugs; up the Hudson; down the Harlem River; on the Long Island Sound and through Jones Inlet. If you don’t actively steer into and out of each wave, well, broaching is just a matter of time. I’ve also spent many hours training onboard a Sea Tow vessel. I have seen people do some of the dumbest things imaginable. People need to be trained and licensed!

The pilot of this boat would have never taken 27 people on the vessel had he been trained.

In the end, this matter, which caused the loss of life, will no doubt lead to criminal charges, financial loss and the heartbreak of knowing this did not have to happen.

Meantime, the boat rests in 70 feet of water and three kids need to be waked and buried. Boaters need to be licensed.

Ted D. Gluckman

Rockville Centre

Kreiss should be fair and balanced

To the Editor:

I guess Randi Kreiss doesn’t believe in equality and fairness for all.

There has been no comment from her about an extremely insulting bit that Jon Stewart did on the April 16 “Daily Show.” He presented his “vagina manger,” a decidedly vulgar attack on the Catholic Church and, indeed, all Christians. Unfortunately, anti-Catholicism is a common theme with Jon Stewart. How sad that his heart is filled with such hatred — one has to wonder why.

While Randi has praised Jon Stewart in the past, this was an opportunity for her to speak out against hatred and bigotry. How about some fair and balanced commentary?

James E. Deneen Jr.

Rockville Centre