NYC Party Boat Owners Arrested For COVID Violations

The New York Daily News reports:

The captain and owners of a popular Manhattan party boat were arrested for defying coronavirus social distancing mandates and going for a crowded booze cruise, officials said Sunday.

The Liberty Belle, a four-story river boat that can hold up to 600 people, had just returned to Pier 36 in Lower Manhattan about 11:30 p.m. Saturday when officers from the New York City Sheriff’s department broke up the 1920-themed party and made arrests.

The New York City Sheriff’s department said they waited for the boat to return to Pier 36 after being tipped off by office of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.

Overboard
Cops break up NYC party boat packed with revelers without masks, ship-for-brains event planners arrested https://t.co/x2LIgNabn9 pic.twitter.com/Kj8050qPT8

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) August 3, 2020

8/1/2020: Deputy Sheriffs intercept the Liberty Belle at Pier 36 & arrest owners and captain for illegal party: violation of social distancing provisions of the Mayor’s and Governor’s Emergency Orders, Alcohol Beverage Control Law: unlicensed bar & bottle club & Navigation Law. pic.twitter.com/zXZheHdH9O

— NYC SHERIFF (@NYCSHERIFF) August 2, 2020

The Liberty Belle, a large riverboat, was used on Saturday to host a party with more than 170 guests, violating New York state and local social-distancing rules, according to the sheriff’s office https://t.co/M2bb1XGJmq

— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 3, 2020

So a packed Liberty Belle party boat just departed from Pier 36 on the LES waterfront with no apparent social distancing or mask requirement. Who has jurisdiction over these floating nightclubs? @galeabrewer @CM_MargaretChin @yuhline @BrianKavanaghNY @NYPD7Pct pic.twitter.com/DVWXB3XrDz

— twobridgestower (@twobridgestower) August 2, 2020