Sunset-Ridge Waterfront Alliance

By Heather McCown

In a most heroic move, the pilot of USAirways Flight 1549 expertly used the Hudson River as a landing strip yesterday afternoon.  With both of his engines out within minutes of departure, Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III, knew that he must make a quick decision, or risk the lives of 155 passengers and crew onboard the flight bound for Charlotte, NC/Seattle, WA.

Within minutes of his successful gliding of the plane along the icy surface of the Hudson River, NYWaterways ferries were on the scene to help rescue the survivors from the water & bring them safely to the ferry landing at 34th Street Ferry Terminal.  With 14 ferry boats to aid in the rescue along side New York’s Bravest & Finest, the NYWaterways clearly showed the importance of ferry service in the New York Harbor.

While all OEM, NYPD, FDNY, and Coast Guard units responded to what could have been a horrible catastrophe, the NYWaterways ferries were first on the scene.  Through expert coordination, the commuter ferries were re-routed and responded as a search and rescue team.  This was possible due to the fact that the ferries were already on the water & operating at the time of the crash.  The fact that Capt. Sullenberger landed the plane near the ferry terminal was either expert planning, or an act of providence.  Either way, the close proximity of the plane to an open ferry terminal increased the passengers’ chances of survival in the frigid cold of the Hudson.  They were able to be quickly plucked out of the water and delivered to safety.

 Looking at the Office of Emergency Management mandates, we realize that part of the plan for emergency preparedness for New York City includes access to and from the water at operable piers.  Having an open pier offers the opportunity for access not only for transportation and recreational activities, but also in times of emergency.  It is crucial that New Yorkers have ways to get safely on and off the islands that comprise New York City.  Without a working pier, we are limiting the ways that we can reach the water, and thus be active members of a vibrant, water-borne community.

I urge you to contact your local elected officials about increasing the number of viable piers around the New York Harbor.  Many older piers lay dormant, and many newer ones (like the Veteran’s Memorial Pier at 69th St. in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn) are missing the proper landing equipment to make them safe & viable piers.  With public support and awareness, we can help to build a safe and protective network on the water that will embrace the forward-thinking planning that New York City is admired for.

 The Sunset-Ridge Waterfront Alliance (SRWA) is dedicated to building public support for educational resources on water-borne action and initiatives.  Through community planning, public outreach, and sustainable partnerships, SRWA is committed to enriching the lives of citizens throughout the New York Harbor.

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