Mayor announces 200 new jobs coming with construction of citywide ferry “homeport”

The soon-to-set-sail citywide ferry service will be bringing at least 200 new jobs with it, announced the mayor earlier this month.

According to Mayor Bill de Blasio, the city is now hiring for the first of 200 new jobs that will be come with the five-borough ferry service’s central hub at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where all boats will be docked, fueled and maintained — and where an additional passenger stop will be added to the East River route — come early 2018.

The new jobs include captains and deckhands.

Jobseekers are encouraged to apply through the city’s Department of Small Business Services’ WorkForce1 Centers, or at CitywideFerry.NYC, or through the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Employment Center. All jobs will pay the city’s living wage or higher, and provide comprehensive benefits.

The new service will launch this summer with three new routes to the Rockaways, South Brooklyn and Astoria, connected to the existing East River Ferry route. Stops on the South Brooklyn line will include Bay Ridge (via the 69th Street Pier, at which construction on the new landing is underway), the Brooklyn Army Terminal, Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 near Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 in DUMBO and Wall Street’s Pier 11.

According to officials of the Citywide Ferry by Hornblower, which was launched the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and Mayor Bill de Blasio, the cost for the ride will be $2.75, which is currently the same fare as a single ride on bus or train. Travelers will also be allowed to pay with their smartphone, credit cards or cash, receive monthly unlimited passes, and be allowed to bring their bicycle on board with a ticket option.

The ferry also promises to display 360 views, LED screens, geo-location passenger communications, and ADA boarding and disembarking. There will also be food and beverage (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) options on board the vessels, as well as free Wi-Fi.

“For the price of a subway ride, Citywide Ferry service will connect millions of riders to jobs and homes all along New York City’s waterfront,” said de Blasio. “As we prepare to launch this summer, we are focused on the finishing touches, and hiring captains, deckhands, engineers and maintenance workers who will operate these boats.”

Construction is now underway on the Navy Yard “homeport.”

The 56,000 square-foot maintenance and storage facility will include berthing space for 25 boats, supplies and parts, and utilities, including a 40,000-gallon diesel fueling system. It will also provide routine maintenance including exterior and interior cleaning, restocking of food and beverage items, fueling and basic repairs, with plans to be fully outfitted by early 2018.

Additionally, the mayor said, the Navy Yard will provide free shuttle service for area residents to the new ferry landing from its Cumberland gate, putting the service in reach of thousands of NYCHA residents at Ingersoll, Farragut and Walt Whitman Houses.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.