New York's Citywide Ferry Service Hiring Captains, Deckhands

Construction is under way on the Navy Yard homeport for the vessels -- a 56,000-square-foot maintenance and storage facility with berthing space for 25 boats, supplies, parts, and utilities, including a 40,000-gallon diesel fueling system.

Applications are now being accepted for the first of 200 new jobs at New York City's Citywide Ferry Service, set to begin operating along the waterfront this summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced March 8. All boats will be docked, fueled, and maintained at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where an additional passenger stop also will be added starting in 2018. The initial jobs include captains and deckhands.

Applicants can apply through the City Department of Small Business Services' WorkForce1 Centers, at CitywideFerry.NYC, or through the Brooklyn Navy Yard's Employment Center. The new service will launch with three new routes to the Rockaways, South Brooklyn, and Astoria, connected to the existing East River Ferry route.

"For the price of a subway ride, Citywide Ferry service will connect millions of riders to jobs and homes all along New York City's waterfront. As we prepare to launch this summer, we are focused on the finishing touches and hiring captains, deckhands, engineers, and maintenance workers who will operate these boats," the mayor said.

The service's website indicates construction is under way on the Navy Yard homeport for the vessels -- a 56,000-square-foot maintenance and storage facility with berthing space for 25 boats, supplies, parts, and utilities, including a 40,000-gallon diesel fueling system. It will provide routine maintenance and is being elevated to comply with the newest FEMA flood standards. The facility will be fully outfitted by early 2018, enabling passenger service to an additional stop on the East River route between South Williamsburg and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

According to the mayor's office, the Brooklyn Navy Yard is undergoing its largest expansion in nearly 60 years. More than 7,000 people work there, but that number is expected to increase to 17,000 by 2020.

"As excitement builds for the launch of the new citywide ferry system, I'm proud that we will be connecting over 200 local job seekers with living wage positions to get the system up and running," said Gregg Bishop, commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. "Job seekers can visit our network of Workforce1 Career Centers to learn more about these jobs and many other career opportunities."