Staff Report / May 14, 2026
As boating activity begins increasing across the Finger Lakes ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the Keuka Lake Association is reminding residents and visitors to review New York boating safety laws and local lake regulations before heading out on the water. The organization announced its support for National Safe Boating Week, scheduled for May 16-22, while encouraging boaters to prepare for the busy summer season.
Officials said New York’s Brianna’s Law, which took full effect in 2025, now requires all operators of motorized boats to carry a boating safety certificate while operating on state waters. The association noted it continues working alongside Yates and Steuben County marine patrol units to educate boaters about both state and local regulations specific to Keuka Lake.
One of the primary reminders involves Keuka Lake’s expanded no-wake zone. Under New York Navigation Law, boaters on Keuka Lake must travel at no more than 5 miles per hour within 200 feet of shorelines, docks, anchored boats, and swimmers. Most waterways in New York use a 100-foot restriction, but officials said the larger buffer zone on Keuka Lake is intended to improve swimmer safety and help reduce shoreline erosion and property damage.
The association also encouraged wake boaters and water skiers to avoid repeatedly passing the same shoreline areas and reminded boat operators that state law requires enough onboard seating for the driver, an observer, and anyone being towed. Officials added that some of the most common boating violations reported in 2025 included insufficient life jackets, expired visual distress signals, and expired boat registrations.
According to the association, every passenger onboard must have access to a properly fitted life jacket, and inflatable life jackets only satisfy requirements if they are actively being worn. The group also recommended boaters consider switching to U.S. Coast Guard-approved LED SOS distress lights as an alternative to traditional flares, which expire after three years.
Founded in 1956, the Keuka Lake Association focuses on lake conservation, water quality, recreational safety, and environmental protection efforts throughout the Keuka Lake watershed.
