Just weeks before a man is scheduled go to court because he is accused of killing two boaters on Skaneateles Lake, a senator has proposed stricter suspensions for drunk or reckless boaters.

Sen. John A. DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, has announced a bill to provide for stricter suspensions of boating privileges for individuals convicted of boating while under the influence of alcohol or reckless operation of a vessel. The state Senate passed the bill, and the proposal will face the Assembly next.

The issue resonates with many boaters in the Finger Lakes region following an accident last summer. Craig Cordes' trial date in Onondaga County Court is set for Monday, April 7. Cordes was allegedly involved in a boating hit-and-run on Skaneateles Lake resulting in two deaths last summer. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

In July, authorities said Cordes drove a motorboat into another boat on Skaneateles Lake. John Kelly, a 32-year-old police officer living in Richmond, Va., and his girlfriend, Heather Wilkins, 26, both died as a result of the collision.

“We have seen too many unnecessary boating tragedies in upstate New York over the last couple of years, many of which were related to drinking and or the reckless operation of a boat,” DeFrancisco stated.

The legislation strives to make waterways safer and suspend reckless drivers.

“We don't tolerate drunk driving on our roadways and we must not tolerate such conduct on our waterways,” he said. “The repercussions of boating while intoxicated can be just as deadly and we need to have deterrents in place to prevent such harmful actions.”

Under the bill, first-time offenders convicted of reckless operation of a boat would face three to 12 months of suspension before they are legally able to drive a boat again. Second-time offenders would receive a mandatory six- to 12-month suspension, and possible six to 12-month suspension of water vehicle registration. And operators convicted of boating while intoxicated would lose boating privileges and their vessel registration for six to 12 months.

Currently, the maximum penalty for boaters who operate a vessel while intoxicated or act recklessly is three to six months of suspension of boating privileges and/or vessel registration.

“If we lengthen the suspensions and boaters are aware that they may lose their boating privileges well into the next boating season they may think twice before acting irresponsibly,” DeFancisco said. “This legislation would send a strong message to all boaters that recklessness will not be tolerated on our waterways.”