Coast Guard idles 23 New York ferries deemed 'operationally unfit'

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The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(NEW YORK) — The Coast Guard ordered 23 NY Waterway ferries to suspend service over the past week after a series of inspections found the vessels to be operationally unfit.

Coast Guard Sector New York marine inspectors determined the 23 ferries had damage or discrepancies significant enough to warrant suspension of operations. So far, two of those vessels have been reinspected and returned to normal operations.

“The safety of the public is our top priority, and we expect our ferry operators to uphold the highest standards,” said Capt. Jason Tama, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York. “We know many people rely on these ferries for daily commutes, and as these discrepancies are rectified, we will work with NY Waterway to return these ferries to operations as quickly as possible.”

NY Waterway currently operates 32 ferries in the New York area. Upon discovering multiple discrepancies during routine vessel inspections over the past two weeks, the Coast Guard conducted and inspection of 100 percent of the operational fleet, including 21 vessels alone on Saturday.

By Professional Mariner Staff