NYC man makes dangerous leap from Fire Island ferry as fellow passengers cheer, is arrested after swimming to shore
A Queens man was arrested after taking a dangerous leap from a Fire Island ferry into the Great South Bay during the Fourth of July holiday, police said.
Video footage of the incident shows the moment the man, 24, risked his life by walking toward the edge of the boat with nothing but swim trunks on and simply leaping into the water.
Officials said that despite attempts by ferry workers to get him back on board, the man, who has yet to be publicly identified, opted to swim toward the Maple Street docks in Bay Shore.
While the diver received cheers from fellow passengers on the boat, Fire Island Ferries General Manager Dave Anderson warned that the stunt could’ve cost the young man his life.
“Underneath that ferry are three giant propellers. They will chew you up and spit you out,” Anderson told News 12.
“Somebody’s going to have to explain to your next of kin that there’s nothing left but bait.”
Suffolk County police said the incident happened at around 6:45 p.m., with the jumper arrested shortly after reaching the docks.
Police have handed the investigation over to the US Coast Guard, which is responsible to enforce all violations under maritime law.
Officials noted the man will likely face a $2,500 fine, the usual for first offenses involving rail jumping from a ship.
There are signs on the ferry, which was carrying 359 passengers, warning them not to jump off or face a maximum fine of $25,000, Anderson told Newsday.
He noted that his crew rushed to try and secure the man’s safety after he jumped, but he allegedly ignored all their directions.
“They immediately threw over a life buoy and deployed our man an overboard ladder,” Anderson told the local outlet. “And the captain got on the P.A. system and directed the man to swim back to the ladder. He chose not to, and swam to the bulkhead.”
The ferry official noted that one of the witnesses allegedly told investigators the man jumped after someone told him, “I’ll give you a thousand dollars to jump.”
The Coast Guard said there is still an active investigation into the incident. Officials did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for additional information.
