A Roosevelt Island Tipster reported last week and shares this photo:
Possibly after the horrible incident with the girl dying in the East River, we now have several signs with life rings (or is it buoys?) around the island. I counted at least four.
I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Communications Director Bryant Daniels about the newly placed Life Rings on the East River waterfront promenade.
According to Mr Bryant:
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) has taken steps to improve the safety of island residents and visitors by installing buoy stations at 11 strategic locations around the Roosevelt Island coastline. Each station includes a mounted cabinet with a throwable life ring that can be quickly accessed if someone enters the East River and needs immediate help.
RIOC has also added additional signage in high-traffic zones along the coastline, warning people never to enter the water, which is extremely dangerous and can quickly lead to loss of life.
“Roosevelt Island has beautiful coastlines enjoyed by thousands of residents and hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Though incidents of people entering the water are rare, they have the potential to end in tragedy. Island residents know how treacherous the East River can be, but visitors may not be as familiar with the dangers it poses—so these enhancements will add an additional layer of safety to the coastline,” said RIOC Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mary Cunneen. “Our Operations and Public Safety Department teams surveyed the island to identify key locations where these safety stations would be especially helpful, including near schools, playgrounds, and popular fields close to the seawall. Now, if someone does not heed the warnings and enters the water, a life ring can be thrown to them quickly by any passerby—potentially saving a life.”
The East River is known for its powerful currents, particularly around Roosevelt Island. Tidal currents often reach 5 knots and change direction throughout the day. The river is also heavily trafficked by commercial tugboats, barges, ferries, yachts, and other vessels, making it even more hazardous for anyone who enters. These added safety measures come on the heels of a tragic incident in May, when a young woman visiting the island passed away after entering the water and being swept away by the tide.
The new buoy stations are located at:
• The Southpoint Park Pier (West side) • The East Seawall across from Strecker Lab in Southpoint Park • The East Seawall across from Cornell Tech’s Tata Center • The West Seawall across from Sportspark • Eleanor’s Pier • The East Seawall next to Blackwell Park • Viewing platform behind PS/IS 217 • The East Seawall behind Motorgate Garage • The West Seawall near McManus Field • The East Seawall near the tennis courts • Lighthouse Park (East side)
Last May a teenage girl tragically drowned after entering the East River from Roosevelt Island.
The shoreline is VERY DANGEROUS, which is not obvious from sidewalk level. The rocks are surprisingly slippery and very sharp, and there is nothing to hold onto at the seawall. I know this because, years ago, a friend and I went down to save a duck that was entangled in fishing line. We saved the duck, but we got banged up ourselves (and she got bit by the duck). If you’ve dropped your cell phone, don’t go down, call Public Safety. It’s really dangerous and once you’re down there, you don’t have good options.
The shoreline is VERY DANGEROUS, which is not obvious from sidewalk level. The rocks are surprisingly slippery and very sharp, and there is nothing to hold onto at the seawall. I know this because, years ago, a friend and I went down to save a duck that was entangled in fishing line. We saved the duck, but we got banged up ourselves (and she got bit by the duck). If you’ve dropped your cell phone, don’t go down, call Public Safety. It’s really dangerous and once you’re down there, you don’t have good options.