A man from Queens was taken into custody after performing a daring jump from a Fire Island ferry into the Great South Bay on the Fourth of July, according to authorities. The incident, captured on video, showcases the moment when the 24-year-old man, dressed only in swim trunks, took the risk of his life by walking to the boat’s edge and leaping into the water, Your Content has learned.
Despite the ferry crew’s efforts to convince him to return aboard, the unidentified man chose to swim towards the Maple Street docks in Bay Shore. Passengers on the ferry applauded his audacious act, but Fire Island Ferries General Manager Dave Anderson emphasized the life-threatening danger involved.
“Underneath that ferry are three enormous propellers. They can cause severe harm,” Anderson warned News 12. “Imagine having to explain to your family that only bait remains.”
The Suffolk County police reported that the incident occurred around 6:45 p.m., and the jumper was apprehended shortly after reaching the docks. The investigation has been transferred to the US Coast Guard, responsible for enforcing maritime law violations.
Officials mentioned that the man is likely to face a $2,500 fine, which is the standard penalty for first-time offenses related to jumping from a ship’s railing. There are clear signs on the ferry, carrying 359 passengers, warning against such actions and the potential maximum fine of $25,000, as stated by Anderson to Newsday.
Anderson further added that his crew acted swiftly to ensure the man’s safety after the jump, deploying a life buoy and an overboard ladder. The captain even used the public address system to instruct the man to swim back to the ladder. However, he ignored their directives and swam towards the bulkhead.
According to one witness interviewed by investigators, the man jumped after someone offered him a sum of $1,000. The Coast Guard confirmed an ongoing investigation into the incident and has not responded to The Post’s request for further details, according to New York Post.