BATTERY PARK CITY AUTHORITY, BROOKFIELD, AND IGY ANNOUNCE COMMUNITY SUMMER SAIL PROGRAM AT NORTH COVE MARINA WITH HISTORIC VESSELS SHEARWATER AND VENTURA
Free Cruises Available on First-Come, First-Served Basis in July and August
The Battery Park City Authority (BPCA), Brookfield, Island Global Yachting Ltd. (IGY), and the Captains of the Shearwater and Ventura – two historic sailing vessels moored in Battery Park City’s North Cove Marina – today announced the Community Summer Sail Program, which offers free public sailing trips on selected dates over the next six weeks. Beginning Sunday, July 17, and continuing through Saturday, August 20, the Shearwater and Ventura will offer free weekly cruises on an alternating basis, open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The North Cove Marina is situated midway on the Battery Park City Esplanade, directly behind Brookfield Place. It provides public access to the waterfront and incredible views of the Hudson River.
“Through this unique, free summer sailing experience, we are redefining community in the best possible way – by uniting the residents of Battery Park City with the iconic ships that too call the North Cove Marina in Battery Park City home,” said BPCA President and Chief Operating Officer Shari C. Hyman. “We are thrilled to have partnered with Brookfield and IGY to continue to enhance what community access means.”
The Community Summer Sail Program is jointly sponsored by Brookfield, which leases the Marina from BPCA; IGY, which manages the Marina on behalf of Brookfield; and Captains Tom Berton and Patrick Harris of the Shearwater and Ventura, respectively. Free weekly community sailing sessions will be advertised in local media and promoted via social media by each of the partners.
“We are proud to partner with the BPCA and the Shearwater and Ventura in offering these complementary sails out of North Cove Marina, further engaging the downtown community,” said David Cheikin, Executive Vice President and head of the New York region for Brookfield.
“IGY is pleased to support this initiative and are proud to continue to offer Ventura and Shearwater a safe, secure and convenient home in the heart of Manhattan,” said Kenny Jones, MBE, CMM, IGY Executive Vice President, Operations.
“I’m thrilled that the BPCA and Brookfield have extended themselves to the community via sailing trips on Ventura,” said Captain Pat Harris. “The boat has been a real part of the community fabric here for decades, through all the good times – and, when needed, in the bad times as well. This community sailing program is a real ‘tip of the cap’ by the Authority and Brookfield to the local residents and their connection to Ventura.”
“I am truly grateful for the support of the Battery Park City community has shown to Shearwater over the years, said Captain Tom Berton. “It is a great thing that Brookfield, IGY, and BPCA are taking historic sailing seriously and I believe that this is just the beginning of a long productive partnership that will give even more harbor access to our wonderful community.”
“I applaud this community-focused collaboration between the IGY, Brookfield, BPCA and the Shearwater and Ventura historic vessels,” said Anthony Notaro, Chairperson, Manhattan Community Board 1. “This will go a long way toward building better community relationships and hopefully will put a spotlight on the Shearwater and Ventura who deserve our business.”
“The historic ships are an integral part of our community,” said Ninfa Segarra, Chair, CB1 Battery Park City Committee. “This joint venture is a wonderful example of supporting our local businesses and meeting community needs.”
“I think this an excellent collaboration between local entities acting on behalf of our amazing community,” said Jeff Mihok, Co-Chair, Battery Park City Committee. “It will also foster a better appreciation for the role that New York Harbor has played in America’s history.”
The Community Summer Sail Program schedule is as follows:
Ventura – Commissioned in 1919, Ventura is among the very few large Herreshoff yachts left in the world. It has been operating in New York Harbor every summer for more than 25 years under the same ownership and management. Ventura Community Summer Sail Program dates are:
- Sunday, July 17: “Family, bagels and brunch” – 10:30am to 12:30pm (boarding 10:15am). Sail to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and hear an informal lecture aboard about “The Hills of Governors Island,” the latest urban engineering feat with background info on the history of the island and the 2016 planned opening. Boat provides deck coolers with ice for use by passengers, who should bring their own snacks.
- Sunday, July 31: “Water Stories” – 10:30am to 12:30pm (boarding 10:15am). The first of several harbor history stories, this cruise focuses on the epic, transatlantic row by two immigrants who left New York from the dock area where the North Cove Marina now lies. A storyteller will be aboard, accompanied by a wonderful acoustic sound track of “The Ballad of Harbor and Samuelson,” with period instruments. Boat provides deck coolers with ice for use by passengers.
- Sunday, August 14: “BYO Doggie” – 10:30am to 12:30pm (boarding 10:15am). A fun, light-hearted cruise with two- and four-legged family members. Sail loops around the Battery to the East River to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Boat provides deck coolers with ice for use by passengers, and water bowls on deck for dogs.
Those wishing to reserve a Community Summer Sail space on Ventura should visit www.smarttix.com and use the search term ‘SAILING’.
Shearwater – Built in 1929 for Charles E. Dunlap, a prominent New York industrialist, Shearwater is a classic Newport-style schooner yacht, recently recognized as a national landmark in 2009 during its 80th year of operation.
Saturday, July 23 & Saturday, August 20: “Harbor Sail” – 10:00am to 12:00pm (boarding 9:45am). Sail out to the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island and Ellis Island – all with incomparable views of the Manhattan skyline. Depending on the tides, “Captain’s Choice” can also include jaunts to the Verrazano Bridge, and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges along the Brooklyn waterfront.
- Wednesday, August 3: “City Lights Sail” – 9:30pm to 11:00pm (boarding 9:15pm). See the world’s most famous skyline light up the night. The bustle and noise of the city turns to silence as Shearwater slips out onto the Hudson, cuts the engines, and unfurls its sails for a tranquil, 90-minute cruise.
Those wishing to reserve a Community Summer Sail space on Shearwater should email Kieran Carley ([email protected]) or Jeric Bendigo ([email protected]) with the Subject line “Community Sail,” and the date of the sail they wish to attend.
About BPCA: The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority is a New York State public benefit corporation with a mission to plan, create, coordinate, and maintain a balanced community of commercial, residential, retail, and park space within its designated 92-acre site on the lower west side of Manhattan. For more info visit bpca.ny.gov.
About Brookfield: Brookfield is a leading global alternative asset manager with more than 100 years of owning and operating real assets, with a focus on property, renewable energy, infrastructure, and private equity. For more info visit: www.brookfield.com
About IGY: IGY Marinas is the largest international marina network in the world and offers management and marketing services to marinas worldwide. The network consists of 13 marinas operating across seven countries servicing approximately 100,000 customers, including 8,000 unique vessels per annum. For more info visit: www.igymarinas.com
