NY Waterways preparing lawsuit against US Airways after Hudson River rescue

[Robbien]

Source: Staten Island Today

Two months after NY Waterway workers became known as heroes for helping to safety passengers of downed US Airways Flight 1549 from the icy Hudson River, the cash-strapped company is suing the airline to recoup overtime paid to employees for the rescue effort.

The firm, which operates ferries between New Jersey and Manhattan, itself is in dire need to be rescued from the icy waters of bankruptcy.

"We are embattled," Chief Executive Arthur Imperatore Sr. said, according to a report in Crain's New York Business. "The question is whether we can survive."

Imperatore tells the publication that ridership is down 12 percent in February and that revenue is off by $800,000 per month. What's more, its lender CIT Group will not renew NY Waterways' 3-year equipment loan when it expires in September.

The company hopes it can be rescued by a public agency such as NJ Transit or the Port Authority, arguing that commuter ferries are part of the region's mass transit system and should be on the receiving end of public funding.



Read more: http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/ny_waterways_preparing_lawsuit.html

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"should only be on the receiving end of public funding"

What part of privatization of public transportation does this man not understand?

[DainBramaged]

1. I could tell you a lot about Arthur Imperatore, but I can't

one of his relatives is my boss, they are very wealthy, and have fingers in many many businesses, including trash, courier services, restaurants etc.

[TheCoxwain]

5. I have met him briefly at the Davidson Lab Towing tank facility at Stevens Institute of Technology..

I used to model test the designs of the new catamarans NYWaterway was planning to acquire .... ( I am a naval architect) .. this was in 2001/02

from what I could see - he was a figure head - his son was managing everything.

[napi21]

2. I would think US Airway's insurance co. would pay for that. Why

do they have to sue?

[Robbien]

4. It is getting to be standard practice

In order to get an insurance company to pay out legitimate claims one has to sue them.

Also, why is this man looking at the airline. He should have his own business interruption insurance.

[jberryhill]

6. I don't see why his own insurance would pay...

They didn't have to pick those people up, so it was a voluntary decision by the ferry captains. They're the ones responsible.

They should also recover the fare from the passengers.

[wtmusic]

3. That ought to go over well with New Yorkers.

Always love it when people decide they're owed money - suddenly when they need it.

[LiberalFighter]

7. I would had thought river operations would be a govt function.

[DS1]

8. Idiots! All they need to do is charge the passengers a last-minute booking fee

and the problem is solved.


I should run the company

[mikeytherat]

9. I would have had the passengers sign the forms before I let them into the boat.

Talk about a missed opportunity.

mikey_the_rat