Harbor patrol reveals dark side of East Coast waters popular with the rich and famous

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY – According to authorities, the biggest risks for recreational boaters include drinking and driving, inexperience and operating errors.

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office in New York took Fox News Digital on a trip with its harbor patrol unit into the waters off the Hamptons earlier this month.

It was a quiet day on the water – no arrests, no emergencies. That also meant no one drowned.

“I would say the biggest misconception about the sheriff's office is that we're not out to ruin a good time,” said Sergeant Michael Letscher, a 24-year veteran of the force, nearly half of whom have been on the water. “We want to make sure everyone is operating the boat safely and that everyone has their safety equipment. We're not there to ruin your day. We want to make sure everyone is safe and has a great day by getting home safely.”

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The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit patrols the Great Peconic Bay in Suffolk County, New York, on August 2. (Stephen Yang for Fox News Digital)

Letscher's crew was prepared for boarding operations and other control measures, which he said were for safety reasons and not to “ruin” anyone's day.

In the worst-case scenario, emergency rescue measures may be necessary. Letscher said he has witnessed some tragic cases in his 10 years in the Marines, including a fatal plane crash and child drownings.

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit patrols the Great Peconic Bay in Suffolk County, New York, on August 2. (Stephen Yang for Fox News Digital)

While drunk boating can be a safety hazard, authorities told Fox News Digital that the biggest danger is not knowing the conditions at sea and not having experience on the water and navigating the canals.

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“Roads and waterways are different in that roads are narrower and there are obviously markers on the road, but not in the water,” Letscher said. “There are just buoys that you can navigate back and forth to. And if people aren't familiar with the waterways, for example, and they're coming from the west to our waterways in the East End … it's just inherently more dangerous.”

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Marine Unit stops a boat for improperly displayed registration decals in the Great Peconic Bay in Suffolk County, New York, on August 2. After a safety inspection of the boat, it was allowed to leave without a citation. (Stephen Yang for Fox News Digital)

Letscher said the sheriff's office also helps when foreign boats arrive in Hamptons waters.

“There are a lot of boats from the Bahamas, big yachts that are usually captained,” he said. “They need a cruise permit to enter New York waters, and they've registered with the New York vector, and the sheriff's office will actually check that … hand in hand with Customs and Border Protection. [Protection] agents.”

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit patrols the Great Peconic Bay in Suffolk County, New York, on August 2. (Stephen Yang for Fox News Digital)

According to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), alcohol was the leading factor in fatal boating accidents last year, accounting for 79 deaths nationwide and 17% of all fatal boating accidents. Other leading causes of accidents included inexperience, inattention and equipment failure.

Nevertheless, the number of boating deaths fell by more than 11% last year compared to 2022.

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit patrols the Great Peconic Bay in Suffolk County, New York, on August 2. (Stephen Yang for Fox News Digital)

USCG statistics show that 75 percent of fatal accidents involving recreational boating are caused by a boater who has not completed a boating safety course.

“Anyone can buy a boat – whether they take the safety course or not … to become a better boater, that's not always the case,” Letscher said.

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Three-quarters of all recreational boating deaths were due to drowning, and 87% of victims were not wearing life jackets.