Sheepshead Bay Piers

ASSEMBLYMAN CYMBROWITZ & CITY ANNOUNCE END TO PARTY BOAT PASSENGER PICK-UPS & DROP-OFFS IN SHEEPSHEAD BAY

Starting May 1st, party boats will no longer be able to pick up and unload passengers in Sheepshead Bay, effectively ending the problems of drunken revelers and out-of-control litter, crowds and traffic that have long plagued the community during the months when the charter vessels operate, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn) announced today.

The party boats will be allowed to dock in Sheepshead Bay when they are not in use. The new ban on pick-ups and drop-offs does not affect fishing boat excursions.

“This is a fair and reasonable resolution that will help restore Sheepshead Bay’s quality of life during the summer months and bring in weekend visitors who were reluctant to come here because of the crowds and backed-up traffic on Emmons Avenue,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said. “I’ve said all along that you can’t have thousands of people boarding and disembarking from party boats in the middle of a residential community.”

The lawmaker noted that the absence of party boat pick-ups and drop-offs will also free up NYPD resources that can now be used elsewhere in the community. At Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ request, the 61st Precinct and Parks Enforcement regularly had personnel on site to maintain order and enforce traffic regulations when passengers were boarding and leaving the boats.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz has been working with the Mayor’s Office for several years to address the party boat issue. At a town hall in Sheepshead Bay in 2017, Mayor de Blasio committed to ending late-night party boat pick-ups and drop-offs from the pier. Following the implementation of an 11 p.m. curfew on May 1, 2018, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz continued to work aggressively to move all pick-ups/drop-offs to locations that would be better suited for the party boats. Now, the full ban will be in effect.

The current 11 p.m. curfew will remain in effect until April 30th, as will the noise restrictions that prohibit the party boats from playing loud music until they are away from residential areas.

“I’m pleased that the city listened to us,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said. “This is an important change for Sheepshead Bay – one that’s been a long time in coming.”