Ellis Island security zone - 53 comments to date, need 100

[Nancy Brous]

Hi all-

The comment period for the proposed rule change concerning potentially restoring access for small boat under the Ellis Island Bridge has been extended again.

We need more people to submit comments in support of the rule change to see it happen.

Restoring this access, which was lost in the wake of the 911 attacks, would allow human-powered boaters to transit on the upland side of Ellis Island, giving rowers, paddlers and small sailboats the opportunity to avoid the shipping lanes and often to find calmer waters for safer passage.

Note that it would not require small boats to take that route, but it would allow them to if they so chose.

This initiative was spearheaded by the NYCWTA in conjunction with many other member groups of the Harbor Education and Passenger Vessel sub-committees of Harbor Ops.  Recreational boaters, city agencies, and commercial boat operators seem to be in support but the security people would prefer to see no change.  So we need more comments - 100 is the target we were given - to be formally submitted to ensure the change goes through. As of right now we are at 53.

Please follow the link below and submit your comments.  You can also see who else has commented and discover some talking points if you want to stress points in addition to the simple safety-related argument provided above.

Thanks for doing your part to make the harbor a safer shared resource, and for letting the authorities know that the human-powered boating community is strong, engaged, and united in our desire for safe harbor use for all.

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=USCG-2016-0799