Lake Hopatcong getting new patrol boats. Here's how much they cost
The Morris County Sheriff's Office will receive $250,000 to help improve boater safety on Lake Hopatcong this summer, Senate Republican leader Anthony Bucco announced Monday.
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs will award the grant to help purchase two inflatable patrol boats for the Sheriff's Office marine unit. The grant was requested by Bucco, who represents the 25th District, which includes the lake.
"I want everyone to enjoy their valuable recreation time on Lake Hopatcong. The best way to enjoy this time is to do so safely," Sheriff Jim Gannon said. "Ensuring boater safety measures are followed in accordance with the law on Lake Hopatcong is a primary responsibility of ours. This grant will enhance our ability to meet our operational objectives."
Lake Hopatcong officials have prioritized water safety in recent years, particularly after the 2015 death of 10-year-old Christopher D'Amico, who fell overboard and was struck by a pontoon boat.
In 2022, the boy's father, Chris, joined local elected officials and law enforcement on the seventh anniversary of the incident to discuss safety precautions for boating and swimming over the summer. Among the ways members of the public can stay safe include knowing how to swim, wearing a life vest on a boat, keeping an eye on children and not operating a boat while consuming alcohol or drugs.
Lake Hopatcong lies on the border between Sussex and Morris counties and is the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey. It is about 9 miles long and features 38 miles of shoreline across more than 2,600 acres, says the state Department of Environmental Protection.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Lake Hopatcong NJ adding new patrol boats, boasting safety
