The U.S. Coast Guard put six of New
York Water Taxi's nine ferries out of service last week after they failed spot safety inspections following an engine fire on one of the boats, says a Star-Ledger report. No one was hurt in the November 7 fire that was caused by a leak in the boat's oil filter. The reason for the failed inspections is not clear, but flaws in the engines’ cooling systems are suspected.
The problem has forced the temporary shutdown of the taxi routes on the East River in New York and curtailed its service between Jersey City and Manhattan. Over the next several days, the company will make short-term repairs so the boats that failed the inspections can return to service, and during the winter, the company will
install new engines in boats, according to the report.
New York Water Taxi had just taken over the ferry route between South Amboy and Lower Manhattan that had been abandoned by
SeaStreak.
Source: The Star-Ledger