Connecticut gov. signs Emily's Law, which changes boating safety training standards, after teen's death

ByMallory Hoff WABC logo
Saturday, September 19, 2015
CT Gov. signs Emily's Law, which changes boating safety, training standards after teen's death
Mallory Hoff is in Greenwich with more

GREENWICH, Conn. (WABC) -- Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy was in Stamford Friday to sign Emily's Law, which changes regulations regarding training to obtain a safe boating certificate.

It is named for Greenwich teenager Emily Fedorko, who was killed in a boating accident off Tod's Point just over a year ago.

Authorities say she and a 15-year-old girl were tubing when the propeller of their tow boat struck them, killing Fedorko and seriously injuring her friend. Another 16-year-old girl was driving the motor boat and a fourth girl, also 16, was on board when the accident occurred off Greenwich Point Park.

Fedorko and the 15-year old were thrown from the tube, and the boat hit the the girls as it circled to pick them up. Fedorko suffered a laceration to her torso from the propeller and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the two girls managed to pull the other injured teen onto the boat.

Authorities said the operator of the boat immediately transported them to the Old Greenwich Yacht Club dock about 1 to 2 miles away.

The law sets new standards for safe towing instruction prior to anyone getting a safe boating certificate.