Ahoy! Eco Dock floats to 69th Street Pier

After months of delays, thanks to Hurricane Sandy, the Eco Dock has finally floated to the 69th Street Pier, with construction slated to be completed by the end of the month.

The Eco Dock, the first of its kind in the whole city, was spearheaded by Councilmember Vincent Gentile and Borough President Marty Markowitz. It will be a recreational and educational resource to Bay Ridge and the neighborhoods surrounding it.

Originally slated to be installed last October, the dock will be a floating dock, located in the front and on the left side of the 69th Street pier, with two platforms and a ramp that will move with the tide and be able to withstand winter weather. One platform will be used to access larger boats and the other will be for kayak use.

Parks Dept. Senior Manager for Marinas Nate Grove, Brooklyn Borough Parks Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey, Councilmember Vincent Gentile, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance President and CEO Roland Lewis, CB10 member June Johnson and CB10 District Manager Josephine Beckmann.

“Bay Ridge’s Eco Dock is on its way! Thanks to this dock, Bay Ridge is going to be able to enjoy its waterfront again,” said Gentile“I’m proud to get south Brooklynites back on the water – through kayaking, pleasure boating, and the historical vessels that will be able to stop in Bay Ridge. The Eco Dock will enhance the community’s relationship with the water and the ways in which we can use it. The possibilities are endless.”

Markowitz added, “Soon we’ll be hearing the shouts of ‘Ahoy Bay Ridge, permission to come aboard?’ from kayakers, boaters, and water lovers alike when the new 69th Street Pier Eco Dock is complete,” he said. “A tip of the oar to Councilmember Vincent Gentile for his help in putting the ‘bay’ in Bay Ridge by opening up one of Brooklyn’s greatest assets: our waterfront.

“Children will be able to experience the joys of the water, kayakers can paddle to their hearts content, and businesses can welcome pleasure cruisers, tourists, and more,” Markowitz went on. “When it comes to Brooklyn’s waterfront, we’re ‘all aboard.’”

Roland Lewis, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, which designed the Eco Dock, added, “The dock works for all kinds of boats and ships and will become an indispensable recreational resource for Bay Ridge and beyond.”

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