NY WATERWAY HONORS ITS PAST & LOOKS TO THE FUTURE, CHRISTENS THE NEWEST ADDITION TO ITS FLEET, THE ARTHUR E. IMPERATORE
Powered by clean energy, the Arthur E. Imperatore will provide scenic tours of New York Harbor in addition to reliable commuter transportation
NEW YORK, NY, July 10, 2023 - New York Waterway christened the newest addition to its fleet this morning at Weehawken’s Port Imperial Ferry Terminal. Powered by clean energy and named for the company’s founder, the Arthur E. Imperatore is one of the largest and most modern commuter ferries in the New Jersey-New York Harbor.
“It was Arthur Imperatore’s bold vision that resulted in the transformation of the Weehawken waterfront and revitalized ferry passage across the Hudson. It is only fitting that this great new ship should bear his name,” said NY Waterway CEO Armand Pohan.
The ceremony was attended by more than 100 guests, including NJ TRANSIT CEO Kevin Corbett, Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken, Mayor Michael McPartland of Edgewater, Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro and a representative of Senator Robert Menendez, who joined New York Waterway staff and members of the Imperatore family at Port Imperial.
Kevin Corbett delivered remarks, acknowledging the impact of Mr. Imperatore and NY Waterway’s contributions to transportation in and around the New Jersey-New York Harbor. Also, Senator Menendez Staffer Jacob Roth read a letter from the Senator.
Emma Thompson, Mr. Imperatore’s granddaughter, performed the traditional champagne bottle breaking for the ferry christening.
Built locally by New Jersey-based Yank Marine in Tuckahoe, the Arthur E. Imperatore is a brand-new, low-emission 2,000-horsepower, Tier 3 compliant ferryboat designed to carry 600 passengers. The ship has a service speed of 21 knots. The vessel is 109 feet long and 32 feet wide and draws just six feet of water depth, reducing the need for dredging near piers.
About NY Waterway:
Founded by Arthur Imperatore, Sr in 1986, NY Waterway operates the nation’s largest privately-owned commuter ferry service. Prior to the pandemic shutdown, NY Waterway carried more than 32,000 passengers each weekday on 23 routes across the Hudson River, bringing New Jersey commuters to Manhattan and back. In cooperation with MTA Metro North Railroad, ferries bring commuters from the west side of the Hudson River in Newburgh and Haverstraw to the Hudson Line stations in Beacon and Ossining. NY Waterway also works with the Trust for Governors Island to provide ferry service to this important recreational space in New York Harbor.
On dozens of occasions, NY Waterway ferries have provided emergency service when public transit systems are disrupted. On 9/11, NY Waterway ferries evacuated more than 150,000 people from Manhattan, part of the largest maritime evacuation in history. In August 2003, when a massive blackout shut down all Hudson River crossings, NY Waterway carried 160,000 people home to New Jersey.
Ferry crews also have rescued more than 300 people from New York waters, most notably the 143 people rescued from US Airways Flight 1549, the Miracle on the Hudson in 2009, the most successful marine rescue in aviation history.
Get updates at 1-800-53-FERRY (7am - 11am Monday - Friday), nywaterway.com, facebook.com/nywaterway or twitter.com/ridetheferry.
Photo caption:NY Waterway CEO Armand Pohan
Photo credit: credit: Marc Levine
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