The Town Board agreed Tuesday to a temporary 5mph speed limit during the Huntington Lighthouse Musicfest.
Pam Setchell, president of the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society, and others had advocated for the lower limit. They cite the large number of boats that had gathered in Oyster Bay on July 4 for the Dolan fireworks show that ended in tragedy when a , killing three children.
"I think it’s fabulous," she said of the board's vote. "I’m very happy about it; Harry Acker (senior harbormaster) had a great idea and this could be something that would set an example for all of these types of events."
Setchell said Suffolk County police, Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary and bay constables will be on hand to enforce rules during the Sept.1 event. The limit covers waters one mile in radius to the Huntington Lighthouse.
"They’re going to be going around and announcing with a megaphone from the boat and we will be making repated announcements from the top of the white house. It'll be the code phrase of the day.
"This is going to be seriously enforced and if people violate it they are going to be ticketed. The police are not there to kill anybody’s fun; we just want everybody to be safe."
The Musicfest is scheduled for Sept.1, with a raindate of Sept.2. Boaters anchor near the lighthouse in Huntington Harbor for performances by a wide variety of bands. This year's lineup features nine bands, among them Fuzz, , Blacklight and King Wellington.
