Maloney asks about investigations of party boat and seaplane incidents

Okay, thank you.

We mentioned in our opening testimony some specific instances that are fairly recent.

In June, a party yacht that had 200 people aboard that struck a dock and injured 35.

There was the incident of landing off of the base at the East 23rd Street where the FDNY had to take passengers off the plane.

What investigation did EDC do after those incidents?

Those are typically federally conducted investigations, so both the NTSB and the FAA in the case of the seaplane operation.

Do you know who was operating the seaplane or the party boat in those instances?

Yeah, we know that it was Acadian Seaplanes that was operating that particular aircraft.

I'd have to get back to you on the party, the excursion vessel, excuse me.

And were there any steps taken to ensure enforcement or investigate why this operator, why these instances had happened?

Yeah, so they need to, the operators will have to make sure that their licenses are in place.

And if there is a reason why they shouldn't have that based on, you know, potentially this incident or others, then that's between them and their regulatory bodies.

And we would only permit them to access our...

landing infrastructure if they have all the checks in place.

And to your knowledge, are those operators still conducting party boat rides and seaplane operations?

I'd have to get back to you on the specific one of the excursion vessel.

I know that Acadian is still operating in the airspace, but not

I'm not sure about that exact aircraft.

The concern I have is that, again, we have 250,000 residents that are on the east side.

Councilmember Abreu can speak to the west side incident.

And for the agency responsible for oversight, knowing how these rules are being enforced, when there is appropriate accountability, is really important.