National Park Service Considered as Potential Host for Party Boats at Gateway Marina

National Park Service Considered as Potential Host for Party Boats at Gateway Marina

The long-running debate over relocating Sheepshead Bay’s “booze cruise” party boats took another turn in mid-2018, when Brooklyn Councilman Alan Maisel suggested that the federally managed Gateway National Recreation Area could provide a viable solution.

Maisel, who represents Mill Basin, strongly opposed the city’s plan to move the vessels into his residential district. Instead, he argued that Gateway Marina in Dead Horse Bay – operated by Moonbeam Leasing & Management under a concession agreement since April of that year – could be a more appropriate location.

“The concessionaire has a right to lease space to boats, including party boats,” Maisel said, noting that logistical details would still need to be resolved between boat operators, the marina, and the National Park Service.

At the time, NPS declined to comment publicly, while a Gateway Marina spokesperson clarified that there were no current plans to host party boats. Local leaders also expressed skepticism. Dorothy Turano, district manager of Community Board 18, doubted federal authorities would ever approve the move:

“It’s very unlikely – that’s federal land. Unless our elected officials supported it, which they don’t, I don’t think it would be allowed.”

The city had announced in April 2018 that the controversial boats would be leaving Sheepshead Bay following years of complaints from residents about noise, late-night crowds, and quality-of-life disruptions. The original plan called for some boats to move to Mill Basin in May and others to the Brooklyn Army Terminal in September.

But the proposed relocations sparked immediate backlash. Mill Basin residents and local representatives claimed they were blindsided by the city’s decision, even threatening legal action. As a result, the timeline stalled, and by July no boats had been transferred.

Maisel welcomed the delay, stating that every day without the vessels in Mill Basin brought the prospect of Gateway or another location closer:

“We’re already in July and they haven’t come to Mill Basin – that’s wonderful. Every day that passes is a step toward finding a better home, maybe Gateway.”

Community Board leaders, however, remained unconvinced. Turano concluded that the boats would likely either remain in Sheepshead Bay or be redirected to the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park, rather than Gateway.

For now, the party boat issue remains unresolved – with Gateway Marina positioned as a possible, but far from guaranteed, alternative.