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Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com
Yesterday, the City announced a new FREE weekend ferry will launch May 25th and will operate all summer between Manhattan and Red Hook.
The Red Hook Summer Ferry service will run from Pier 11 in lower Manhattan to Van Brunt Street and IKEA, Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.
Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com
The new stop at the Van Brunt street-end will use an existing, currently unused ferry landing just up the block from Fairway and the vibrant neighborhood of Red Hook, filled with their amazing collection of foods, wines and hand-crafted treasures by local artisans.
And as an added bonus, you’ll get a free transfer onto the northbound East River Ferry at Pier 11 – sail from Red Hook to midtown – all for free! *applause*
Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com
From NYCEDC:
“Hurricane Sandy hit the Red Hook community hard, and that’s why we’re making it easier than ever for New Yorkers to get to small businesses in the area in order to help the community continue to recover. By expanding the already successful free IKEA ferry to another stop in the heart of Red Hook, and by connecting it to the East River Ferry that is celebrating its two millionth ride this week, the free Red Hook summer ferry will help boost the local economy. I look forward to the Red Hook Ferry’s opening this Memorial Day and encourage all New Yorkers to try it.” – Mayor Bloomberg
Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com
Two boats will run as part of the Red Hook Ferry, traveling between Pier 11, the Van Brunt Street landing and the IKEA landing. More details:
- Service will run from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, May 25th) through Labor Day Weekend, including the Mondays of Memorial Day and Labor Day (Monday, September 2nd).
- Each landing will be served every 25 minutes, improving upon the current frequency which is approximately 40 minutes.
- Free transfers will be provided northbound on the East River Ferry at Pier 11, connecting riders from Red Hook to Midtown Manhattan.
Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com
The Red Hook Summer Ferry is the result of a partnership between New York Water Taxi; Billybey Ferry Company, which operates the East River Ferry; Fairway Market; IKEA; and the O’Connell Organization, which owns the pier at which the Red Hook Ferry will operate. All of the City’s partners are working to make the public aware of the new service to encourage ridership.
The Red Hook Summer Ferry expanded service will provide Red Hook businesses with additional, much-needed foot traffic and economic activity, as well as provide an additional weekend transit option for local residents to an area which is presently underserved by public transportation options. Read more here…
by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee
Working Harbor Committee is having a
Sizzlin’ September Party!
Wednesday 12 September from 6 pm to 8:30 pm
Pier 66 Maritime (The Frying Pan Pier)
West 26th Street & Hudson River
Order tickets here
Special Honoree: Andrew Genn
“Andrew Genn, Sr. Vice President, Ports & Transportation, NYC EDC has been the most steadfast advocate that the working waterfront has had in City government over the past decade-plus that he has worked at the New York City Economic Development Corporation. His knowledge of the maritime industry, its history, its current needs and its vital role in the City’s future make Andrew an articulate and passionate spokesperson and no one in the Bloomberg Administration hasn’t learned from him on this subject. He is the City’s unofficial embassador to the Port Authority, his diplomatic skills forwarding what is right for the working waterfront even in turbulent times. A peacekeeper by nature, a champion of labor and the underdog, and a true New Yorker, Andrew has added greatly to the debate as to what is the “highest and best use” for the City’s waterfront.” – Venetia Lannon, Regional Director, DEC Region 2
Come join us for a fun-filled evening of food, drink and friends. We are doubly honored to have Helena Durst, President of New York Water Taxi and Circle Line Downtown, to present the award to our special honoree Andrew Genn.
Proceeds to benefit the Working Harbor Committee in its mission
to educate residents, visitors and youth on the vitality and importance
of our working harbor and its educational programs
to introduce youth to opportunities in the maritime world.
by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee
The excitement on the dock was palpable, as eager tour passengers started to arrive for the special OpSail 2012 Parade of Sail tour. Volunteers from Working Harbor Committee, OpSail 2012, NYWaterTaxi and OpSail 2012 sponsor partners scurrying to check-in folks streaming towards the dock.
Anticipation was high, with many evening Preview Tour passengers booked on our Official OpSail spectator boat for the morning’s grand Parade of Sail and Ships.
Finally, we were underway.
OpSail 2012 – Manhattan Skyline. photo: Mai Armstrong
Leaving South Street Seaport, the skies were an eerie mix of colors. Persimmon, Sapphire, Grey. The sun occasionally breaking through the gloom for a brief splash of sunlight streaking through the dense foggy air. The weather forecast having called for thunderstorms and drenching rain, every finger was crossed that our legendary weather guru would again part the clouds and stay the rain for us.
Captain John Doswell can… seems to… well, has parted the rain clouds on many occasions. It’s uncanny, I can’t explain it; but that is a story for another day.
Breakfast brunch was served aboard the MV Zephyr as we motored towards our optimal viewing position in front of the USS Intrepid.
OpSail 2012 – Parade of Sail. photo Mai Armstrong
The Tall Ships had started on their journey from the Verrazano Narrows earlier, sailing north on the Hudson to turn at the George Washington Bridge. It must have been gorgeous watching the Tall Ships gracefully pirouette against the suspension bridge backdrop.
OpSail 2012/Fleet Week Parade of Sail and Ships. photo: Mai Armstrong
Behind us, the Parade of Coalition fleet “grey hulls” were sailing northward to meet the Parade of Sail; their steel-grey hulls camouflaged by the foggy grey/blue/orange sky. In the distance, the skyscrapers of lower Manhattan and the “Freedom Tower” looked like a ghostly mirage in the mist.
Then… Through the foggy mist, they came. Ships! Ships! Ships!
OpSail 2012 – Fireboat John J. Harvey leads the fleet. photo: Mai Armstrong
[Do you see the little circle of sunshine over us and the Harvey? It's our weather-guru parting the clouds!]
OpSail 2012 – Fireboat John J. Harvey leads the Spanish Navy’s Juan Sebatian de Elcano. photo: Mai Armstrong
The fleet of Tall Ships was led by Fireboat John J. Harvey who sprayed her water jets into the air, as Juan Sebastian de Elcano of Spain met USCG Eagle who was leading the fleet of Grey Hulls.
OpSail 2012 – Blue Angels Flyover. photo Mai Armstrong
And just as you thought things couldn’t get more exciting, the US Navy’s Blue Angels flew overhead in perfect formation streaking the cloudy sky with their jets.
OpSail 2012 – Tall Ship Gazela. photo Mai Armstrong
OpSail 2012 –Indonesia’s Kri Dewaruci. photo Mai Armstrong
The North River was filled with vessels of every shape and size; barques, schooners, commercial cruisers, tugboats, pilots and of course dozens and dozens of Tall Ships and Coalition Ships. The skies above crisscrossed with military planes, fighter jets and helicopters; wings in salute over the parade.
OpSail 2012/Fleet Week Parade of Sail and Ships. photo Mai Armstrong
OpSail 2012 – JS Shirane and ARC Gloria. photo Mai Armstrong
The the gigantic aircraft carrier USS WASP brought up the rear, filling the horizon as she approached through the fog. The crisp white uniforms of her crew at attention on deck, punctuating the grey-blue Manhattan skyline.
OpSail 2012 – USS WASP and ARC Gloria with their tug escorts. photo Mai Armstrong
Many thanks to Captain John Doswell and all the WHC volunteers for organizing this memorable experience. It was truly magnificent.
by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee
