January 16, 2009

NY Waterway honored as first rescue boat at USAir1549

It’s a good chance that NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly may wind up in the marketing materials for NY Waterway ferry service.

“We believe it was less than four minutes and New York Waterway was present on the scene. So it was remarkable response. As our divers said, they were there five minutes after they got the call. But New York Waterways was clearly the first entity that was present.”

That was Kelly speaking at today’s City Hall ceremony honoring the first responders to Thursday’s Hudson River landing of US Airways 1549, a twin-engine Airbus A320 that was suddenly without either engine just minutes after take off from LaGuardia Airport.

NY Waterway operates both rush-hour commuter boats as well as tourist cruises. It’s the largest privately operated commuter ferry company in the nation, NY Waterway spokesman Dave Bahniuk told NewYorkology in November.

The company’s 34 boats normally carries more than 30,000 passengers each work day, and about 8 million people a year.

Sightseeing cruises include the AIA Architecture Cruise and New-York Historical Society History Cruise (which both resume in the spring,) but the 90-Minute Skyline Cruise is offered year-round. It departs from Pier 78, where West 38th St. meets the Hudson River. The price is $21 for adults and $10 for children.

Earlier: NY Waterway’s the biggest NY Harbor ferry firm
BillyBey Ferry may buy some NY Waterway routes
NY Waterway says it may close anyday now

January 16, 2009 1:29 PM in Downtown, Kids, Midtown, Out of Manhattan, Sightsology, Tours, Transportology

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