• The state of New York requires one wearable Type I, II, III, or V PFD for each person that is aboard a vessel. All PFDs must be readily accessible.

• In addition to the above requirement, one Type IV U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD must be on board vessels 16 feet or longer and readily accessible.

• Type V PFDs are approved but must be worn to be considered legal.

• Flotation devices that are ripped or in poor condition are not considered approved.

• All Personal Watercraft (PWC) occupants must be wearing a PFD.

• Any person towed behind a vessel must be wearing a PFD.

• All persons on any vessel (this includes motor boats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, or rowboats) less than 21 feet, must wear a life jacket from November 1 to May 1 when underway.

• Swimmers in open water should be accompanied by a flotation device or small boat to signal their presence.

See more about Boating & Swim Safety on Kirk Lake

To help prevent the introduction and spread of non-native species from one body of water to another, you should:

• Inspect your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before you leave any body of water.

• Flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.

• Empty bait buckets and remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props. Dispose on land into a garbage receptacle.

• Drain water from your motor, live wells and bilge.

• Wash your boat before putting it into a new body of water.

• Report new infestation of non-native aquatic species to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• Learn more about Invasive Plants & Animals at Kirk Lake