Schumer Says Sandy Damage At Jones Inlet Creating Dangerous Conditions For Boaters
WANTAGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer is calling for quick repair work on a navigational light and jetty that were destroyed by Superstorm Sandy at the Jones Inlet.
"Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on Long Island's waterways and now without a main light tower beaming over Jones Inlet, it's incredibly dangerous for boaters navigating their vessels in the dark or in foggy weather," said Schumer. "Boaters depend on this navigational light tower and the U.S. Coast Guard and the Army Corps should repair the light and Jones Inlet at flank speed."
Schumer Demands Immediate Action To Fix Jones Inlet
Schumer is urging the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard to take immediate action to fix the Jones Inlet to ensure safe navigation for fishermen and recreational boaters.
"To think that we might actually hit a jetty within a quarter-mile of the beach is pretty scary," one boater said.
"When you are coming back, especially into the inlet, Jones Inlet is very hard to navigate," boater Mike Jacobs said.
The light and the jetty are scheduled to be repaired by 2014, but Schumer said that's unacceptable, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported.
"It's the summer, we don't want this fixed in December when nobody's going out there," Schumer said.
The inlet connects the Atlantic Ocean to several communities along the south shore of Long Island.
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