Sea Air NY : East River Seaplane Operator Has an Eye on the Hudson
By DAVID KIRBY Published: May 23, 1999 A new seaplane operator has been buzzing tourists around town since January, using a busy stretch of the East River for takeoffs and landings. But the company wants to increase operations and base planes on the Hudson River, and those ideas have some boaters worried about safety, while others question if seaplanes truly bring fantasy-island charm to Manhattan, or just more noise and air traffic. Sea Air NY is currently flying 10-seater sightseeing planes from the city-owned East 23d Street Marina. The company leases aircraft from Shoreline Aviation, which flies summertime passengers to seaside destinations on Long Island. Sea Air now runs as many as two flights hourly and wants to double that number, said Arthur Schneider, the company's chairman. Within two years, he said, he would like to expand even more, possibly with a base along the future Hudson River Park. ''We knew some groups were initially absolutely opposed because of noise problems from tourist helicopters,'' Mr. Schneider said. ''So we've been explaining that our seaplanes use quiet-aircraft technology. And unlike helicopters, we take off from the middle of the river.'' But there are other worries. ''Yes, they are somewhat quieter than helicopters, but we are still very concerned about the frequency of flights,'' said John Doswell, a member of the Waterfront Planning and Preservation Committee of Community Board 4. ''And we haven't seen a real business plan. Four flights an hour seems like a lot.'' Pamela Frederick, chairwoman of the board, said it was unlikely to support any seaplane moorings along the new park. Commercial and recreational boaters, meanwhile, have safety concerns. Adam Brown, president of the Working Waterfront Association and a founder of the Harbor Safety Committee, said he loved seaplanes, but worried about their operating from crowded waterways. ''Seaplanes are basically vessels traveling at 80 miles an hour over 1,000 feet of water before they take off,'' he said. ''And it could be a big problem on waters congested with boaters who aren't expecting a plane to drop from the sky. You can't paint a runway on the river.'' Mr. Brown said the planes are acceptable, ''if they are done in moderation and are well coordinated with other harbor uses.'' Last month in the East River, a seaplane nearly hit a boat piloted by Rear Adm. Robert North of the Coast Guard. ''He was not a happy admiral,'' said Lieut. Chip Lopez, a spokesman for the Coast Guard, which is working with concerned parties on the seaplane issue. Mr. Schneider said the incident was not caused by a Sea Air plane. DAVID KIRBY