'Ryan's Law' Honors Boy Killed During Centerport Sailing Lesson

Suffolk County officials unanimously approved a law in memory of 12-year-old Ryan Weiss who was fatally struck by a boat propeller during a sailing lesson in Centerport last year.

"Ryan's Law" will require boats used for instructing minors to be equipped with propeller guards. The legislation was passed last month and was signed into law on Saturday by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. This is the nation's first propeller guard bill.

• Boy, 12, Killed In Boating Accident Became 'Entangled' In Propeller In Centerport

“This legislation will make boating safer for children, not only in Suffolk County, but around our nation, as other states move to adopt a similar law,” Legislator William R. Spencer said in a press release. Spencer was the lead sponsor of Ryan’s Law.

The bill was co-sponsored by all 18 local legislators. The law will take effect on the ninetieth day immediately following the filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

"Our hearts are forever broken, but we want to protect other children and families for suffering such a loss," Ryan's mom Kellie Weiss said. "This law protects children in instructional boating programs, and many recent stories lead us to believe that the majority of local clubs have already put this into place. We hope that all parents out there who hear our story will protect their own children from this type of tragedy. If you have a young child or teen operating a boat, outside of an instructional program, please get a prop guard.”

Image via Office of William R. Spencer