Office of Technical and Information Services
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
1331 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004-1111
Dear Board Members:
I am writing on behalf of SEASTREAK AMERICA INC.,our northern New Jersey based fast ferry commuter operation that served nearly one million passengers last year on our seven vessels into New York.
SEASTREAK is part of the Sea Containers/Sea Containers America Inc. group that is a publicly traded company. Our operation is year round, but we do not offer overnight, formal dining or vehicular services.
We have approximately 2000 passengers daily and our operations staff is aware of just one disabled passenger using our 8 a.m. service to Manhattan from Atlantic Highlands departure point. This gentleman uses the same ramp as other passengers without trouble and has a wide variety of open areas to select from that accommodates his wheel chair. .
We are a member of the Passenger Vessel Association and know of their contact with the Board concerning subject proceeding. We are fully aware of their positions in this area and would like to fully associate ourselves with them, besides filing our own comments above. It is our firm belief that in addressing this subject the Board must recognize that there is a distinct difference in vessel size, operation factors and services, so that there is clearly not a "one size fits all" solution to guideline issuance--- to that end we strongly urge adoption of the recommendations of the Passenger Vessel Access Advisory Committee.
Thank you for this chance to participate in this rulemaking procedure and please do not hesitate to contact us for clarification or additional information in this important matter.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Lidinsky,Jr.
Vice-President
Governmental Affairs
SEASTREAK AMERICA INC./SEA CONTAINERS
1321 World Trade Center
Baltimore, MD 21202
(p)410=385-9047/(f)9049
[email address]