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After Death Of Teen, Malloy Signs Emily's Law To Enhance Boating Safety

STAMFORD, Conn. -- As Emily Fedorko's parents looked on, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy officially signed "Emily's Law" in a signing ceremony in Stamford on Friday.

Emily Fedorko's parents, Joe and Pam, at right, look on as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signs Emily's Law. Emily, pictured at right, died in a water tubing accident in August 2014 off Greenwich Point.

Emily Fedorko's parents, Joe and Pam, at right, look on as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signs Emily's Law. Emily, pictured at right, died in a water tubing accident in August 2014 off Greenwich Point.

Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern
Joe Fedorko speaks while his wife Pam looks on during the bill signing ceremony for "Emily's Law" on Friday in Stamford. It's named after their daughter Emily who died at the age of 16 last year in a water tubing accident off Greenwich Point.

Joe Fedorko speaks while his wife Pam looks on during the bill signing ceremony for "Emily's Law" on Friday in Stamford. It's named after their daughter Emily who died at the age of 16 last year in a water tubing accident off Greenwich Point.

Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern
Emily Fedorko of Old Greenwich died last year in a tubing accident on the waters of Long Island Sound.

Emily Fedorko of Old Greenwich died last year in a tubing accident on the waters of Long Island Sound.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Facebook

Emily Fedorko died at the age of 16 on Aug. 6, 2014, in a boating accident off Greenwich Point. 

"This was a tragic and avoidable accident," Emily's father Joe Fedorko told the crowd and media gathered for the bill signing ceremony. 

Emily died after she became caught in a boat's propellors while she and another teenage friend were water-tubing. The friend survived but suffered deep cuts from the propellor blades. Two other teenage friends in the boat were uninjured. Police decided earlier this year not to press any criminal charges against the teenage boat operator.

Joe Fedorko said his family doesn't want to discourage boating and water-related activities — but want to ensure they are done safely.

Malloy expressed his sympathy to the Fedorko family for their loss and praised the strength they have shown since her death.

"I really appreciate this common sense approach," Malloy said about the law's aim to improve water safety.

The event was held at Goodway Technologies Inc. at 420 West Ave, in Stamford. Timothy Kane, president and CEO of the company, is a friend of the family and board member of the Emily Catherine Fedorko Foundation. 

The foundation seeks to educate teens and adults about safe boating practices and to advocate for additional training, specifically for tubing and other water sport activities.

The new state law prohibits children under 16 years of age from piloting watercraft towing skiers or tubers and requires they take a related safety course. 

State Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-Greenwich, said the new law was the result of support from both parties in the state legislature. 

Joining Frantz at the ceremony were his fellow members of the Greenwich delegation, state Reps. Livvy Floren, Fred Camillo, and Mike Bocchino. Also in attendance was fellow Republican state Rep. John Shaban of Weston. 

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