TESTIMONY
Diane Park, Waterside Plaza Resident on the Dangers and Lack of Regulation of Seaplanes Operating in the East River Near Residential Areas
2:54:13
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147 sec
Diane Park, a resident of Waterside Plaza, testified about the dangers posed by seaplanes taking off from and landing in the East River near residential areas like Waterside Plaza. She highlights the lack of regulation and monitoring of seaplanes by air traffic control.
- Park personally witnessed a seaplane heading towards her building before veering off.
- She questions the rules governing seaplanes operating in close proximity to residential buildings, schools, and infrastructure.
- Park cites the changes in the riverfront and surrounding areas since the Skyport Marina opened in 1939, with increased residential and commercial activity.
- She expresses concerns over seaplanes taking off and landing in a congested residential community.
- Park states she has witnessed violations like seaplanes flying too close to buildings, bridges, and operating in adverse conditions.
Diane Park
2:54:13
Hello.
2:54:13
I'm Diane Park from Waterside Plaza.
2:54:16
Any action or legislation to restrict or eliminate helicopters must also include the extremely dangerous seaplanes that are taking off from and landing in the East River and docking at the Skyport Marina on East 25th Street in Manhattan, also city owned.
2:54:35
My husband and I personally witness a seaplane heading straight towards our window before it veered off.
2:54:42
Seaplanes are not regulated or monitored by air traffic control.
2:54:47
Pilots visually land and take off in the river at their own discretion, making seaplanes extremely dangerous.
2:54:56
Skyport Marina where the seaplane stock first opened in 1939.
2:55:01
The riverfront and the river have changed significantly since 1939.
2:55:06
Waterside Plaza wasn't built.
2:55:08
Nor was the nearby United Nations School nor the British International School.
2:55:13
There were no high rises along the river in Brooklyn and Queens in 1939 as there are today, nor were there the full fleet of ferries and party boats and barges and everything else going up and down the river.
2:55:25
With all of this activity, and the residential buildup along both sides of the river, seaplanes are taking off and landing on a small strip of water between two bridges in a congested residential community.
2:55:39
It is no longer safe or appropriate for these planes to be taking off and landing in the river at this location.
2:55:46
They are these planes are an accident waiting to happen.
2:55:50
What are even the rules for these sea planes?
2:55:52
Can they take off and land within 50 feet of residential buildings?
2:55:57
Can they take off on land right next to schools?
2:56:00
Are multiple planes permitted to circle in the river while they're waiting to dock at the marina.
2:56:05
How many planes are permitted to take off and land on any given day?
2:56:09
Can they take off during storms after dark?
2:56:12
We have oh, can they fly dangerously close to the Khan Edison PowerPoint?
2:56:17
Or fly dangerously close to the Williamsburg And Queensboro Bridges.
2:56:22
I have witnessed all of these violations myself along with my neighbors.
2:56:27
Something needs to be done about these seaplanes.
2:56:30
Thank you.
2:56:31
You and I just wanna bring to your attention.
2:56:33
I I attached several photos
Amanda FarÃas
2:56:35
and was going through this.
Diane Park
2:56:36
Okay.
2:56:36
Good.
2:56:37
That show these planes in action.
2:56:38
It's just it's unbelievable.