OLD ASTORIA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Respecting the past, Building the future
OLD ASTORIA
NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION

New Vessels for NYC Ferry

During this pandemic, we want to take an opportunity to report on an investment in a positive future for NYC and it’s transit system!

The NYC Ferry  (operated by Hornblower), has taken delivery of its first 2 of its EPA Tier 4 compliant vessels. Named H401 and Curiosity, the 29-meter ferries were built with a package that allowed identical vessels to be constructed at independent shipyards; Halimar Shipyard of Morgan City, La., and Breaux Brothers Enterprises of Loreauville, La.

Although the vessels were commissioned prior to the COVID-19 which has caused a drastic curtailment in ferry services and ridership, it is expected that the high passenger demand NYC Ferry has experienced since commencing operations in 2017 will return.

Four additional 26-meter vessels are currently under construction in the Franklin, La., shipyards of Gulf Craft and Metal Shark, with an additional 29-meter vessel under construction at St John’s Shipbuilding in Palatka, Fla.

On completion of these additional vessels, the NYC Ferry fleet will have grown to a total of 38 vessels in just over three years.

The two new vessels include seats for 354 passengers, dedicated bicycle storage, disability access, mobile device charging stations, Wi-Fi connectivity and a well-equipped on-board convenience store by The News Stand.

All the vessels are equipped with EPA Tier 4 compliant engines which further reduce emissions.

Let’s not lose sight of the future, when we can build an event better NYC!

Mr. Khuzami has been a member of Community Board 1 in Astoria, NY for the last 20 years. He sits on the Zoning and parks Committees and is on the Executive Board. Previously, he served as Parks and Culture chair of Community Board 1 for eleven years and also chaired Capital and Expense priority Committee. He is a member of the Queens General Assembly and had been a panelist for grant submissions for the Queens Council on the Arts (QCA). Richard also is an officer of The Eastern Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA) and President of OANA.

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