Councilman Mark Cuthbertson (2nd from right) is pictured with Harry Acker, Senior Harbormaster, Town of Huntington, Jon L. Ten Haagen and Richard B. Kinch displaying the orange index card size I.D. stickers available for canoes, kayaks or rowboats.

Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and the Town of Huntington recently launched a new small vessel identification program in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard's education campaign.

Every year countless man-hours and millions of dollars are spent on search and rescue for vessels that have been found adrift. The Coast Guard and other marine law enforcement agencies can never assume that the kayak, rowboat or other unregistered vessel they come upon were unoccupied.

While it may seem odd to begin this program in December, this presents an opportune time for recreationalists to label everything with their contact information as gear gets stored for the winter. Residents can obtain these labels from the Town's Harbor Master's Office beginning December 2011, The Greater Huntington Yacht & Boating Club in Spring 2012 or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 22 in Eaton's Neck.

"Recreationalists who affix an identification label to their small watercraft will make it easier to be located if unoccupied canoes, kayaks or rowboats are found adrift, preventing what would otherwise be a false search and rescue alarm," stated Councilman Mark Cuthbertson. "In an attempt to avoid such situations, the Town will provide interested small craft owners with labels. It is my hope that other municipalities will follow suit," added Cuthbertson.

"The Greater Huntington Yacht & Boating Club, Inc. established in 1985 brought the Coast Guards "Operation Paddle Smart" to the attention of the town and we are delighted that Mark and the town grabbed the reins on this very important safety issue. The Boating Council is very proud of our continued corroboration with the town in keeping our waterways the safest and most beautiful on the north shore of Long Island. The Boating Council will be providing these small craft safety decals to our club members and the general public as we get closer to the next boating season," stated Jon L. Ten Haagen, CFP, Commodore.

" Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 22 has been an active participant in the Vessel Identification program and will continue that participation in the future. We would like to thank Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and the Town of Huntington for their support of this very worthy program. These stickers can also be obtained from your local Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla," stated Richard B. Kinch, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 22.

Residents who are interested in this program or have questions can contact the Town of Huntington Harbor Master's Office at 631-351-3255{3192} or Councilman Mark Cuthbertson's office at 631-351-3171.