The “Gate-” Remains Closed for Booze Cruises

The “Gate-” Remains Closed for Booze Cruises

Despite earlier speculation, party boats from Sheepshead Bay will not be moving into Gateway National Recreation Area’s marina by next spring.

Two alcohol-serving cruise vessels, originally expected to leave their Emmons Avenue pier, will remain in place after the National Park Service (NPS) determined that Gateway Marina cannot currently accommodate them. According to Commissioner Joshua Laird of the National Parks of New York Harbor, the marina’s operator, Moonbeam Leasing and Management LLC, has no immediate capacity to expand parking or infrastructure to house the boats.

“There is no available space at the marina for these vessels at this time. Expansion on that scale would require careful planning, facility upgrades, and could not be completed before Memorial Day 2019,” Laird wrote in an October 5th letter to Councilman Alan Maisel.

The inquiry came after city officials floated Gateway Marina as an alternative location for the controversial party boats, which were initially targeted for relocation near Flatbush Avenue. Laird stressed, however, that commercial entertainment vessels run counter to the new management’s immediate goals of upgrading basic infrastructure and enhancing the overall experience for existing and future boaters.

Community pushback further complicated the proposal. At a Community Board 18 meeting, residents voiced strong opposition, citing not only limited parking but also public safety. Georgetown resident Shelomo Alfassa warned that moving the cruises to Gateway—far from public transit—would encourage drunk driving:

“Many people come from the Bronx. If they leave at 2 a.m., they’ll be more likely to drive home intoxicated. At least in Sheepshead Bay the subway is just a short ride away.”

District Manager Dorothy Turano of CB18 was equally firm, telling City Hall representatives:

“You can’t give me any answer that would convince me this is a good idea.”

While the Park Service left the door open to future discussions, officials emphasized that any reconsideration would require more planning and deeper community involvement. For now, Gateway Marina will continue to focus on strengthening its role as a recreational harbor under Moonbeam’s leadership—without the addition of party cruises.