The Dracut and Tyngsborough Police Departments are teaming up to inform the public of new boating safety laws and using new funding to increase water patrols this summer.

In Fiscal Year 2026, state Rep. Colleen Garry worked to secure $25,000 in extra state funding for the Dracut and Tyngsborough Police Departments to help fund patrols on Lake Mascuppic and other local bodies of water, including Long Pond and the Merrimack River.

Rep. Garry was also one of the legislators who passed the Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act, which significantly upgraded boating safety laws in the Commonwealth.

The updated law establishes new boater safety education requirements for operators of motorboats and personal watercraft. These changes represent one of the most significant updates to Massachusetts boating laws in recent years and reinforce the importance of responsible operation, safety equipment, and boater education.

The updated law establishes new boater safety education requirements for operators of motorboats and personal watercraft. These changes represent one of the most significant updates to Massachusetts boating laws in recent years and reinforce the importance of responsible operation, safety equipment, and boater education.

This summer, Dracut Police will use the funding to staff patrols on the public boat ramp at Lake Mascuppic. Tyngsborough Police will use the funding to staff patrols in the department’s marine unit on Lake Mascuppic and the Merrimack River. Local police are also working with Massachusetts Environmental Police and the Merrimack River Task Force to promote boating safety and enforce applicable boating laws.

Enforcement efforts this summer will focus on safe and responsible vessel operation; compliance with boater safety certification requirements; compliance with life jacket and personal flotation device requirements; impaired boating enforcement; speed, wake and reckless operation violations; and youth operator compliance with personal watercraft requirements.

Both departments are hoping that public education about the requirements and expectations of the updated boating laws will help prevent issues from arising on the water this summer.

“While enforcement remains important, our primary goal is education, prevention, and ensuring that everyone using our waterways can do so safely and responsibly throughout the boating season,” said Tyngsborough Police Chief Shaun Woods. “We encourage all boaters to familiarize themselves with the updated laws and prioritize safe operation on the waterways.”

“We appreciate the continued partnership between our agencies and the support of state Rep. Colleen Garry with securing additional funding and resources to strengthen boating safety and marine enforcement efforts,” said Dracut Police Chief Peter Bartlett.

“I’m thrilled to be able to get additional funds for Tyngsborough and Dracut Police to send patrols out on the lake to try to address the truly serious safety issues caused by jet skiers and others who don’t understand the rules of the water,” said Rep. Garry. “The special funding, along with the new boating education law being implemented, should make Lake Mascuppic and other local bodies of water safer for the summer.”

The Tyngsborough and Dracut Police Departments encourage all boaters to familiarize themselves with the updated laws before heading onto the water this season. To view a detailed description of the new laws and to view frequently asked questions, please click here.