KYRILLOS, KEAN & BECK ASK A.G. MILGRAM TO INVESTIGATE, BLOCK SALE OF SEA STREAK FERRY SERVICE

KYRILLOS, KEAN & BECK ASK A.G. MILGRAM TO INVESTIGATE, BLOCK SALE OF SEA STREAK FERRY SERVICE

Senator Joseph Kyrillos, (R-13) and Senators elect Jennifer Beck, (R-12) and Sean Kean, (R-11) asked Attorney General Anne Milgram in a letter today to probe the impending sale of four high speed ferries to the nation of Trinidad and Tobago. The four high speed catamaran ferry boats are currently owned by SeaStreak Ferry Service and shuttle nearly 4,000 commuters each work day from New Jersey to downtown Manhattan.  The letter is attached.

“It is vital that we take steps to ensure the continuation of high speed ferry service from New Jersey to New York City,” Kyrillos stated.  “A modern and efficient transit system requires a variety of transportation solutions to ensure uninterrupted service in the event of a natural or man made disaster.”

 Sea Containers Ltd. -- the British-based parent company of SeaStreak America Inc. may have applied for an export license with the United States Department of Commerce to sell four ferry boats to the government of Trinidad and Tobago.  Sea Containers Ltd. is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

“The local rail and highway infrastructure is currently operating at near capacity,” Beck said. “Diverting nearly 4, 000 daily commuters from ferry service to either New Jersey Transit or local highways would almost certainly overload both systems causing delays and maintenance problems.”

SeaStreak operates four high speed catamarans from Atlantic Highlands and Highlands in Monmouth County New Jersey to pier 11/Wall Street in downtown Manhattan and East 35th Street in midtown Manhattan.  Travel time to and from these locations is usually 35 minutes or less.

“The Legislature and the executive branch must work cooperatively with the ferry operator in order to continue, and perhaps expand service to the city.  Ferry service to Wall Street and Midtown is vital to the continued health of the local economy and the viability of our local transportation network,” Kean concluded.

#####  

December 13, 2007

Honorable Anne Milgram

Attorney General

Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex

PO Box 080

Trenton, New Jersey  08625

Dear General Milgram:

            We are writing to enlist your support regarding the possible sale of vessels operated  by SeaStreak Ferry Service.  As you may be aware, Seastreak provides year-round ferry service that shuttles approximately 4,000 commuters each day from berths located in the boroughs of Highlands and Atlantic Highlands in Monmouth County, to two destinations in downtown Manhattan.

According to media reports, Sea Containers Ltd. -- the British-based parent company of SeaStreak America Inc. may have applied for an export license with the United States Department of Commerce to sell four ferry boats to the government of Trinidad and Tobago.  Sea Containers Ltd. Is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.  Media reports indicate that a government agency of Trinidad and Tobago, the National Infrastructure Development Company of Trinidad (NIDCO), wants to purchase four high-speed SeaStreak catamarans at reported cost of $30 million.  NIDCO intends to serve the coastal cities of Port of Spain and San Fernando

The SeaStreak ferry routes are an integral part of our regional transportation network, and the widely-rumored sale of their fleet of four modern catamarans would have severely negative consequences for the people of Monmouth County.  We believe that any sale of the current fleet of catamarans would result in an extended period where no ferry service would be available.  This in turn would force commuters to either use the existing over-burdened New Jersey Transit train service or private passenger automobiles, which will only serve to exacerbate the already intolerable congestion on the highways leading to New York City.  Even if the catamarans were replaced in a timely fashion, the replacement vessels could be fewer in number and much older, resulting in a less-reliable and slower service.

In addition to congestion and transportation infrastructure concerns, the loss or diminution of ferry service using existing vessels for an extended period of time gives rise to national security concerns.  As you are no doubt aware, ferries provided an important transportation route for thousands of commuters in New Jersey in the wake of the September 11, 2002 terrorist attacks, and the loss of such service would have a negative impact upon the public interest.

Accordingly, we are requesting that you investigate whether there are sufficient legal grounds to seek an injunction to block the pending sale of the SeaStreak ferry fleet to a foreign operator.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.  If you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact us.

                                                                        Very truly yours,

Joseph M. Kyrillos

Senator, District 13

Jennifer Beck

Assemblywoman,   District 12

Sean T. Kean

Assemblyman, District 11

JMK:JB:STK:jh