Overview

• Gov. Kathy Hochul announced six additional drones for Long Island state park beaches, increasing the fleet to 28 vehicles.
• A training initiative certified eight more lifeguards and park police as drone operators, bringing the total to 48 pilots.
• State park police deployed a large enterprise drone equipped with thermal imaging, laser range-finding and infrared cameras that can drop life rafts during emergencies.
• Interagency efforts engage park police, Department of Environmental Conservation experts, Nassau County helicopters and boats, and jet ski patrols from Hempstead Town lifeguards supported by the 200-member Long Island Coastal Awareness Group.
• Swimming is suspended for one hour after confirmed shark sightings under established protocols, and no new activity has been reported since a juvenile sand tiger shark bit a swimmer on June 25.