From the CLA: Boating safety

With warmer weather upon us and the boating season in full swing the Cazenovia Lake Association wants to provide a few safety reminders to those who enjoy Cazenovia Lake and surrounding waterways.

Probably the most important regulation pertains to life jackets or personal floatation devices (PFD’s).

For motorized craft there must be a Coast Guard approved PFD on board for every person.

This regulation also pertains to canoes, rowboats, sailboats, kayaks and paddle boards in which a PFD should be readily accessible.

Anyone under 12 on any of the above watercraft should be wearing their PFD when underway. Jet skis require that all occupants be wearing a PFD at all times.

Other required equipment on motorized boats include: a throwable flotation device, a sound producing device, such as a whistle as the horn on the boat does not meet this requirement, anchor and rope, fire extinguisher Type B-1, navigation lights and a visual distress signal (day and night devices). Many of us have flares for a night time distress signal but note, they have an expiration time of 42 months. Because they are a fire hazard, they should not go in the general trash. The Manlius Fire Department will take them for free. An alternative to flares is a signal light. They are available on Amazon and similar websites in a kit containing a signal LED light and flag.

For canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats, kayaks and paddle boards there are only two requirements in addition to the PFDs’: a sound producing device, like a whistle, and a light (white light at minimum) if out at night.

Jet skis have slightly different equipment requirements. A sound producing device, engine cut-off switch lanyard, fire extinguisher, daytime distress flag and mirrors. These watercraft should not be used before or after sunset and as such have no navigation light requirement.

Lastly, a reminder that the law requiring a boating safety course certificate is changing every year, called Brianna’s Law.

As of this summer anyone born on or after January 1983 is required to have and carry this certificate. All Jet ski operators are required now to have and carry a certificate. After Jan. 1, 2025 all operators of motorized vessels regardless of age will be required to have a certificate.

Cazenovia Lake is regularly patrolled by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and the Cazenovia Police Department. We all want everyone to enjoy this treasured resource but safety and respect for other boaters, residents and the environment is of paramount importance. We encourage involvement and feedback. Please feel free to contact us at any time by e-mail, info@cazlake.org.

Share your milestone celebrations!

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Commencement

As graduation ceremonies and celebra tions begin locally we look at the word commencement, which has two related but also distinct meanings.

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, commencement means a graduation ceremony. But it also refers to the start of something such as a journey.

At this time of year as local high school students take their diplomas and throw their caps in the air, the graduation ceremony is perhaps the most obvious and immediate meaning that will come to mind.

Walking across the stage in cap and gown, taking their diploma is the culmination of years of work, late nights of homework, seemingly endless exams and reports.

Those moments, when they walk down the isle and listen to the speeches from school staff and administration and valedictorian and salutatorian addresses, the moment when they walk across the stage and take their diploma, those are just the first half of the commencement equation.

When they have their diploma in hand and have come off the other side of the stage, that is when the other meaning of commencement truly beings.

This other definition, to start or begin something, has both literal and more metaphorical meanings.

These young adults will be starting many new things in the days, weeks, months and years ahead of them

This day marks the start of an entirely new chapter of their lives.

For some this will take the form of secondary educational opportunities, heading off to college.

For others this may mean the military.

And still for others this may mean entering the workforce.

Whatever the journey may be and wherever it may take these young adults, each will have their own unique experiences and discover new interests, new friends, have new experiences and broaden their horizons in ways they may not have yet anticipated.

This definition of commencement holds incredible potential.

While their paths may be mapped out in a general way, college, work, et cetera, as cliché as it is, the future is unwritten, a blank page, where each will begin to write a new chapter of their own life story.

This can be an overwhelming, but hopefully an exciting prospect.

Whether it is college or the workforce or the military or a gap year or a year taking part in any number of student exchange or civic and volunteer opportunities, this is a time to start something new and a time when these graduates will begin shaping their lives in new ways preparing for careers and everything else their future holds.

But even as they commence, this is also a time to look back.

These ceremonies mark the culmination of not only the work of the students, but also the parents, families, educators and innumerable others that have helped them on their journey and assisted them in preparing for this moment. So as they step into the bigger world, they will be ready for all that lies ahead of them.

This network of support, parents, teachers, the whole community, has proven to be incredibly valuable on their journey to this special day.

For their support, all of these people deserve a moment of praise and recognition for all they have done to help prepare the next generation to lead the way into the future.

And of course congratulations is due to the students and all their hard work, commitment and determination to persevere no matter how challenging circumstances became.

Each of them has accomplished so much. They have faced challenges, sleepless nights, working and toiling to reach this day and we extend our congratulations to each of them and wish them well