New York Waterway has been awarded a $6.3 million grant to reinforce its maintenance facility off the coast of Weehawken, Rep. Rob Menendez announced on September 16.
The $6.32 million grant, funded under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s fiscal year 2024 Passenger Ferry Grant Program, will be used to install a wave attenuator at the facility, preventing waves, high tides, and floods from harming vessels and impacting service for customers.
“This grant will ensure that our transit system is more resilient, reliable, and fulfilling the needs of New Jerseyans and people throughout the region,” said Menendez, who represents the Eighth District and is expected to win another term in November.
“NJ Transit and NY Waterway play a critical role in our public transportation system, and I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris Department of Transportation for prioritizing these important upgrades to their facilities.”
Meanwhile on August 27, Seafarers working aboard the NY Waterway ferry Father Mychael Judge acted quickly and averted a disaster after a fire broke out in the engine room of the vessel. According to NY Waterway,
“The crew sealed the engine room and deployed the vessel’s extinguishing systems, containing the fire. 37 passengers were removed to a nearby ferry and brought to New Jersey with no injuries.”
The crew of the Father Mychael Judge included Captain Tom Colomara and Deckhand Ebene Jean. The passengers were evacuated onto the Admiral Richard Bennis, crewed by Captain Mike Baranok and Deckhands Steve Matos and Frank Illuzi.
Jersey City Port Agent Ray Henderson said, “These members have shown the kind of true professionalism that all our members bring to the job every day. On behalf of the union, we are grateful that all passengers are safe, and that the crew members remembered their training and acted swiftly to save lives.”
###
Comments are closed.