Atlantic Basin finally getting community use, by Sarah Matusek

The opening of NYC Ferry’s South Brooklyn route on June 1 means “a big step forward for Red Hook,” according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“Residents of this community will finally have the access they deserve to everything this city has to offer,” he said at Red Hook’s ferry landing during a press conference Wednesday morning, one day before the South Brooklyn route’s official launch.

The mayor championed the long-awaited commuter ferry while local elementary school children watched from aboard one of the vessels docked at the landing. Red Hook locals fought for the landing at Atlantic Basin and won after the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) proposed alternate locations.

Lillie Marshall, President of Red Hook Houses West Tenant Association, praised the ferry as a means to connect residents of Red Hook Houses to more jobs, schools, healthcare, and shopping.

“These ferries aren’t for the wealthy – or for the tourists – they’re for us,” said Marshall.

Memorial Day weekend experienced huge crowds on the Rockaway ferry route. The mayor supports increases to number of boats and boat dimensions, as demand requires.

“The bottom line is, we’re going to keep adding what we need to make it work,” said de Blasio. “This new [South Brooklyn] line is going to take a lot of pressure off the situation because it’s adding new capacity and redundancy.”

The mayor reasoned that a greater supply of boats would mean less people traveling by street or subway – a relief to those congested transportation systems.

“We’re also looking into schedule adjustments to make sure that we’re timing the way the vessels come into different locations around the route,” said James Patchett, EDC’s president and CEO.

Challenge to Trump Over Climate Change
The mayor began the press conference by announcing the city’s commitment to uphold the Paris Agreement – a global action campaign against climate change – even if Trump withdraws. The president is currently considering the controversial move.

“We plan later this week to sign an executive order maintaining New York City’s commitment to the Paris agreement,” said the mayor. “We will partner with cities big and small around the country to support them in doing the same. It’s obvious that when our federal governments fail us, local governments have to step up.”

The mayor cited Hurricane Sandy’s devastating impact on Red Hook as a grim reminder of climate change’s threat.

City Councilman Carlos Menchaca of District 38 echoed the mayor’s resolve to uphold the Paris Agreement.

“The city of New York is ensuring that we are resisting in our ways – small and big – against the forces outside of us,” said Menchaca. “We will prevail.”

Menchaca hailed Red Hook’s incoming ferryboats as an “incredible green infrastructure.” According to NYC Ferry’s website, the new boats are designed for fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

Beginning June 1, the South Brooklyn route’s regular weekday service will depart from Bay Ridge at 6:30 am; Sunset Park at 6:37 am; Red Hook at 6:52 am; Atlantic Avenue – Pier 6 at 7:02 am; DUMBO – Pier 1 at 7:10 am; then reach Wall Street – Pier 11 at 7:13 am. The South Brooklyn route will make stops at Governors Island only on summer weekends.

Ferries will depart from Red Hook seven days a week at the cost of $2.75 per ride.

NYC Ferry’s Rockaway route opened May 1. According to the mayor, the new line has already served 243,000 people – an underestimated demand. Astoria will gain a route in August. Ferries to the Lower East Side and Bronx will follow in summer 2018.

The full schedule of NYC Ferry’s South Brooklyn route is available on their website. The new ferry landing is in the Atlantic Basin, just before the Cruise Terminal at the foot of Pioneer Street.