The new NY Waterway Franklin Delano Roosevelt ferry

A new passenger vessel has entered service for operator NY Waterway, serving both as a commuter ferry and for scenic harbor cruises with Big City Tourism.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was built on site by New Jersey-based Yank Marine in Tuckahoe, NJ, and was christened Thursday during a ceremony at Pier 79 in midtown Manhattan.

The FDR is powered by low emission 2,000hp EPA Tier 3 compliant twin engines and has an operating speed of 21 knots. The FDR is 109 feet long and 32 feet wide and features a water depth of just 6 feet.

The new ship has already seen a lot of action. While deployed for a December 2022 harbor tour, the ship responded to the scene of a Staten Island Ferry being stranded by an engine fire and rescued 558 passengers. During the naming ceremony, the FDR received a fitting farewell at a special ceremony that also recognized and honored the crew members for their participation in the rescue.

“This is a remarkable boat with a remarkable crew. We are so proud of the NY Waterway team who have helped hundreds of passengers get to safety during a difficult time. As a leader in sustainable operations, we’re just as proud that the Franklin D Roosevelt is the most advanced ferry in the NY Waterway fleet and represents our vision of the port’s future, improving the environment and promoting tourism while the region evolves continues to recover from the pandemic,” said Armand Pohan, CEO of NY Waterway. We are pleased to have an energetic partner like Big City Tourism, committed to bringing the sights and sounds of the port to visitors from around the world.”

“We are honored to have this relationship with NY Waterway,” said Kareem Holmes, President and Founder of Big City Tourism. “We came to them as a small, black-owned company with a mission to showcase New York City in the best possible light and provide people with experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. They immediately understood and embraced what we set out to do, and we look forward to a long working relationship with NY Waterway and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.”