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New York, New York Water Taxi was lucky to find docks for its fleet in Red Hook - one of those very neighborhoods isolated from the subway, but a short hop to Pier 11. It makes the company an employer in a neighborhood said to need employment. Tom Paldino estimates New York Water Taxi's employment rolls at "about 50-60 people, almost 40% being area residents." All three of the existing fast-ferry oper- ators in New York - Waterway, Water Taxi, and Seastreak - have real-estate development in their corporate back- grounds. (BillyBey's Mr. Wachtel also is described in connection with a proposal to transform Pier A into a ferry landing and mall). But even here, New York Water Taxi comes-up like the one grown in organic soil. "I spent five years finding the perfect partner," said Tom Fox, "and it was Dou- glas Durst, a third-generation real-estate developer. His buildings are among the greenest in the city -" including 4 Times Square, the Broadway & 42nd Street anchor of "the new Times Square." The new Gladding-Hearn boats, due in service beginning April, are called the Seymour B. Durst class, according to Tom Paldino. Mr. Paldino described modifications being made to the original fleet. Derektor, the original builder, is fitting the hulls with bulbous bows - as far as is known, the first cats thus equipped. As bulbous bows affect the bow wave of the QM2, so they may the Curt Berger. It's expected to be back in service by the time you read this, the rest of the original six going up for the modification as schedule allows. "It brings up the bow a little more," said Mr. Paldino, "helps the ride, sometimes helps the speed. We've got a lot of good people working on this to bring the boats to the next level." But New York Water Taxi as a whole seems to be aiming for a next level, as Mr. Paldino refers to a forthcoming 250-pas- senger boat owned by himself and the TWFM Ferry company. The company, whose roots trace back to an operation begun by Mr. Paldino's father in 1945, currently operates seven boats of various descriptions in assorted markets, without much of a single corporate identity unit- ing them in the public eye. "New York Water Taxi brought us aboard to run the operation because, with all the things they were doing right, we had the everyday salt experience. We formed an alliance - our plan is to grow together." That's one way to call yourself a Taxi in New York. 32 • MarineNews • March, 2005 Water Taxi I f you are seriously injured while on the job, you need an attorney right away to look out for your interests. After an injury, your company will quickly begin an investigation to build a case. You need immediate representation and help. You need the 28-combined years of experience of Gordon & Elias LLP. 5821 Southwest Freeway Suite 422 Houston,TX 77057 713-668-9999 / 713-668-1980 (fax) Call now for free consultation. 800-491-3377 Email: rtelias@gordon-elias.com Website: http://www.gordon-elias.com For past results of our work and for a free case review, see: http://wwwgordon-elias.com/d_main.asp When you are injured, turn to the attorneys you can trust. Gordon & Elias L.L.P. All attorneys licensed to practice by the Supreme Court of Texas. Steve Gordon - Of counsel - Board Certified- Personal Injury Trial Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Other attorneys not board certified * All cash advances will be for reasonable and necessary living and medical expenses related to your accident and will only be made in compliance with State Bar rules. ? No recovery, no fee ? We answer the phone 24/7 ? We fly to you, or fly you to us — at our expense ? We provide cash advances to help you with your bills (at a 0% interest rate) in jurisdictions where this is allowed. * We work hard for you to make sure you get everything you deserve. Attorneys at law One of each boat's two Detroit Diesel Series 60s, this one in the starboard hull. Under full service conditions, the low-emission engines are said to get by on about 20 gallons per hour. (Photo: Don Sutherland.) Circle 263 on Reader Service Card MN MARCH05 4(25-32).qxd 3/4/2005 11:30 AM Page 32
