Passengers Rescued After Seastreak Ferry Runs Aground In Jamaica Bay
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - A Seastreak ferry ran aground in the waters of Jamaica Bay in Queens Wednesday, the FDNY said.
No injuries were reported, but 29 people had to be removed from the 55-foot vessel.
The FDNY says the call came in around 12:30 p.m.
Ferry Runs Aground In Jamaica Bay
The boat was near the Cross Bay Boulevard bridge.
The passengers were taken by FDNY boat to the dock of a nearby restaurant.
The ferry was making a special trip and was not part of the daily commute from the Rockaways to Manhattan, 1010 WINS' Holli Haerr reported.
It was on a public relations cruise, and was carrying 25 residents – including business owners from the Rockaways – who were exploring ways to add additional ferry stops around Jamaica Bay, 1010 WINS reported.
The ferry was traveling at around 2 knots per hour when it grounded on the muddy bottom of the bay, Seastreak said in a statement.
"I am told the boat encountered an uncharted shoal. We are sorry this happened and that our guests were inconvenienced. Thankfully, no one was injured. Our thanks goes out to the Fire Department of New York for transporting our passengers to shore," said Tom Wynne, spokesman for Seastreak.
The ferry did not appear to be damaged, but it was expected to take some time before the vessel would float free on the next incoming tide Wednesday evening.
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