LI mother seeks new legislation years after her daughter died in boating crash

Gina Lienick joined Town of Babylon leaders Wednesday to announce that they are joining Operation Dry Water, a year-round and national boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign.

Thema Ponton

Jun 14, 2023, 9:31 PM

Updated 541 days ago

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A Long Island mother whose daughter died in a boating crash is seeking new legislation that would have a boater convicted of a BUI lose their driver's license.
Gina Lienick's daughter Brianna was killed in 2005 and since then she has been a fierce boater safety advocate.
In 2019, she succeeded in getting Brianna's Law passed. The legislation requires boater safety courses.
"No family should have to go through what my family went through," Lienick says. "It's been 18 years of hell."
Lienick joined Town of Babylon leaders Wednesday to announce that they are joining Operation Dry Water, a year-round and national boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign.
Babylon Town officials and law enforcement say they are joining a national effort to crack down on boating under the influence.
Town of Babylon Councilman Terence McSweeney says they are focused on reducing the number of incidents and fatalities related to drug or alcohol use on the water.
"This message is for those who operate a vessel while impaired and the message is very simple - 'We will find you and you will face charges,'" McSweeney says.
Babylon leaders also brough Lienick and her loved ones to year with a surprise honoring her daughter's memory.
They renamed one of the town's constable vessels the "Breezy Brianna."
Lienick says the boat that now bears her daughter's name will serve as a remind to keep up her efforts to ensure everyone on the water stays safe and sober.