File #: Int 2388-2021    Version: * Name: Installation of life rings in city parks and beaches.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Parks and Recreation
On agenda: 8/26/2021
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of life rings in city parks and beaches
Sponsors: Peter A. Koo, Alicka Ampry-Samuel , Kalman Yeger , Robert F. Holden, Francisco P. Moya, Karen Koslowitz, Diana I. Ayala, Stephen T. Levin
Council Member Sponsors: 8
Summary: This bill would require the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to furnish and maintain life rings at 150-foot intervals along every publicly accessible park waterfront, including beaches, within the Commissioner’s jurisdiction. The bill would also clarify the responsibility of persons attempting rescue using these life rings.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 2388, 2. Int. No. 2388, 3. August 26, 2021 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 8-26-21, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - August 26, 2021

Int. No. 2388

 

By Council Members Koo, Ampry-Samuel, Yeger, Holden, Moya, Koslowitz, Ayala and Levin

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of life rings in city parks and beaches

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Section 18-110 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

§ 18-110 Public beaches; life-saving apparatus. [The] Subject to the requirements of section 18-110.1, the commissioner may furnish, erect and maintain on any public beach any life-saving apparatus, appliances and paraphernalia, for the protection and safety of bathers which any law, rule or regulation now or hereafter may require keepers of bathing establishments along the seashore to furnish and maintain. During such period as the commissioner shall furnish and maintain the same, the duty of keepers of bathing establishments on, near or along the inshore line of any such public beach to do so shall be suspended. If for any period the commissioner shall not furnish and maintain the same such commissioner shall, under such rules and regulations as [he or she] the commissioner may establish therefor, issue permits to such keepers to furnish, erect and maintain the same.

§ 2. Chapter 1 of title 18 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 18-110.1 to read as follows:

§ 18-110.1 Life rings accessible at waterfront parks. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the term “life ring” means any type of life-saving apparatus or ring buoy approved by the United States coast guard pursuant to applicable federal regulations. 

b. Life rings; installation required. The commissioner shall furnish, erect and maintain life rings along every publicly accessible waterfront, including public beaches, within the department’s jurisdiction. There shall be no less than one life ring per every 150 feet of waterfront perimeter.

c. Specifications. Each life ring shall have attached a buoyant line of at least 100 feet, with a breaking strength of at least 13 kilonewtons of force. During periods of nonuse, the line shall not be secured to any structure.

d. Limitation of liability; exception. Any person who without expectation of monetary compensation renders emergency aid using a life ring installed and maintained pursuant to this section shall not be liable for damages for injuries sustained by the person receiving emergency aid or for damages for the death of the person receiving emergency aid by reason of an act or omission in the rendering of such emergency aid unless such injuries were or such death was caused by gross negligence on the part of the person rendering emergency aid. The exemption from liability set forth in this subdivision does not apply to emergency medical services personnel or first responders rendering professional services in the normal and ordinary course of their duties.

§ 3. This local                     law takes effect 60 days after it becomes law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAW

LS #16493

8/3/21 2:15 PM