First NYC Ferry Takes to Water in Big Apple

Mayor Bill de Blasio welcomed the first NYC Ferry to New York Harbor for a dedication ceremony at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Monday, April 17, 2017. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

The first new ferry in NYC Ferry’s fleet has been christened Lunch Box and has commenced service connecting Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx along the East River. 

Lunch Box, designed by Australia-headquartered Incat Crowther, is the first vessel in a fleet of 26 meter catamaran ferries commissioned by Hornblower Cruises to form NYC Ferries, a government initiative to bring an affordable, city-wide ferry network to the Big Apple.

Christening of Lunch Box comes as two additional ferries arrived in New York. Over the next year the NYC Ferries fleet will grow to some 20 vessels operating a network of 6 service routes. On Manhattan, the routes will be based out of Wall Street and East 34th streets and will serve areas such as DUMBO, Rockaway, Astoria, Brooklyn, Sunset Park.

The aggressive delivery schedule is being met by two shipyards, Horizon Shipbuilding and Metal Shark. Incat Crowther, having developed the design, is working closely with the two shipyards.

The vessels offer quick turn-around using the standard New York City bow loading, allowing the vessel to nose into wharves with minimal mooring. The wheelhouse of the vessel is situated immediately behind the foredeck with views over the boarding area for greater safety.

The vessels feature a large, open main deck cabin with seating 119 passengers in addition to multiple wheelchair and stroller spaces, making them accessible and ADA-compliant. The upper deck seats 28 passengers in an open configuration. The vessels also include a concession stand that will offer food and beverage service to commuters, who will also be connected by free onboard wifi and supported by multiple device charging stations.

The Lunch Box and its sister vessels will be some of the cleanest operating in American waters, with efficient Tier 3 certified main engines, dry exhausts, and vinyl coating in lieu of toxic solvent-based paints.

Powered by a pair of Baudouin 6M26.3 main engines, rated to 599kw each, Lunch Box has a top speed in excess of 27 knots.

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