After having delivered the first three of six small passenger ferries
to New York Water Taxi (NYWT) in 2002, Derecktor Shipyards now has vessel four, five
and six under construction. Delivery is scheduled for later this year, respectively in June,
July and August 2003.
Since late September 2002, the bright yellow boats sporting a black and white
checkered trim have been a notable part of the Manhattan waterfront. With “MICKEY
MURPHY”, “MICHAEL MANN” AND “CURT BERGER” the NYC operator enhances
waterborne transportation for New York City residents and the 16 million tourists who
visit the major attractions on the West Side, Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn
waterfront each year. The flexible multi-use vessels can land at a myriad of business,
recreational and residential locations around Manhattan with minor modifications to
existing piers. The water taxi fleet is moored at the New York
Water Taxi homeport at
the Beard Street Pier in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The route includes Fulton Ferry Landing,
Wall Street / South Street Seaport, North Cove World Financial Center, Chelsea Piers
and West 44th Street.
Designed by Nigel Gee & Associates, the Water Taxi is an all-aluminum catamaran with
a low-wake hull and a top speed of 25 knots carrying 54 seated passengers. The vessel
is a bow-loader and the passengers walk directly from the bow into the cabin located on
the main deck. An ADA ramp allows easy access for wheelchairs, which are
accommodated in dedicated spaces in the main cabin.
The fully heated and air-conditioned cabin has 54 comfortable seats by Beurteaux (with
a total capacity of 75 passengers), a small bar aft and an ADA compliant toilet. Large
windows assure ample visibility and a central row of outward-facing back-to-back seats
allows passengers to enjoy panoramic views of the cityscape during their ride. The open
top deck has a removable seating arrangement for use in excursions and summer
cruises. Two Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines, giving out 600 horsepower at 2100 RPM
through Twin Disc gears, power the ferry.