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Hasids Upset About East River Ferry's Child Restrictions
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Jul 14, 2011
Modified Jul 14, 2011
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By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Jul 14, 2011
Modified Jul 14, 2011
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Some Hasidic families in south Williamsburg are upset that the new East River Ferry doesn't provide enough life preservers to handle the large families common in the community.
The ferries, which are operated by New York Waterway, each have a 15-child limit per boat, which families who live near the Schaefer Landing stop at South 9th St and Kent Ave say simply isn't enough. “If you don’t have enough life vests, you buy life vests,” said Williamsburg resident Oscar Sabel. “This is America. What is this? Russia? Lack of life vests is a lame excuse.” Ferry officials say they based their limit off of a Coast Guard regulation that recommends each ship set aside 10 percent of their life vests for kids.
After criticism for the limit, Waterways announced this week that they will add an additional 10 jackets per boat, which still isn't enough to please the locals: “That is an absolute joke,” said resident Isaac Abraham. “What is 25 vests in a community like this? Five mothers? God forbid something happens, which parents are going to fight for which vest?" Some families vowed not to return as a result, and ridership has been down overall since the ferry began charging $4 per trip earlier this month.
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children
East River Ferry
Hasidic
life preserver
passenger limit
south williamsburg
Jamie Feldmar
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