Party Boat Shooting: Could it Happen Here?


by on Aug 24th, 2009

Over in Manhattan, near the South Street Seaport, a lethal incident has left us scratching our heads about Sheepshead Bay’s party boats. The Atlantica, a party boat docked at the lower Manhattan port and captained by a Sheepshead Bay resident, played host to a brawl that left one man dead. From Newsday:

A Brooklyn man was found fatally shot near the South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan early Saturday following a brawl that broke out during a massive party held on a 145-foot chartered boat.

Dennis Miano, the captain of the Atlantica, said that his staff saw one man running off the docked boat and toward the parking lot, with a second man, whom police later identified as Omar Trent, 31, of Kensington, giving chase.

The first man ran to his car, retrieved a gun and then fired at Trent, striking him in the head, according to a New York police source. Police found Trent’s body at Fulton and South streets at 4:24 a.m., officials said.

…

Miano said too many people boarded for the boat to cruise along the Hudson.

“They brought on 555 people. We shut off the engines and said, ‘We can’t leave. We have to stay on the dock,’ ” said Miano, 60, of Sheepshead Bay.

As the party continued early Saturday, Miano said a fight started between a man and woman on the dance floor.

“One guy wanted to dance with a girl. The girl didn’t want to dance with him,” Miano said. When the man persisted, Miano said the woman broke a bottle over the man’s head, causing the party to erupt into chaos.

“They were hitting each other with bottles and everything,” he said.

Over the years there has been a lot of grumbling from neighbors about the crowd attracted by Sheepshead Bay’s party boats. Noise, drunkeness, littering… but weapons? Violence? Killings?

Could this happen in Sheepshead Bay? If so, should the party boats be more heavily regulated and/or monitored by the local police and community board?

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  • mel

    Yes, they do need better monitoring at the entrance of these boats and yes gun victims only has a name after we see them on TV it can happen any where including Sheepshead bay and to anyone. I know Omar, he is a decent person and I’m proud to know him as a Brooklyn DJ. This doesn’t give a killer the right to harm him.

  • mel

    Yes, they do need better monitoring at the entrance of these boats and yes gun victims only has a name after we see them on TV it can happen any where including Sheepshead bay and to anyone. I know Omar, he is a decent person and I’m proud to know him as a Brooklyn DJ. This doesn’t give a killer the right to harm him.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    Didn’t we have two shootings in Sheepshead this summer already? One somewhere on the docks and another with an actual fatality (covered by this very blog) in the Marina.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur B

    Didn’t we have two shootings in Sheepshead this summer already? One somewhere on the docks and another with an actual fatality (covered by this very blog) in the Marina.

  • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

    There was the shooting on the marina a few weeks back, but I’m unaware of any on the dock. Either way – those are quite random incidents involving a small amount of people. My question was whether readers think these party boats increase the likelihood of violence on our waterfront.

    My guess is probably no, they don’t. Can it happen here – yes. But is it more likely to happen here because we have party boats? I don’t think so. But I’ve found others in the neighborhood disagree, so I’m curious to hear their (and your) opinions.

  • http://www.NedBerke.com Ned Berke

    There was the shooting on the marina a few weeks back, but I’m unaware of any on the dock. Either way – those are quite random incidents involving a small amount of people. My question was whether readers think these party boats increase the likelihood of violence on our waterfront.

    My guess is probably no, they don’t. Can it happen here – yes. But is it more likely to happen here because we have party boats? I don’t think so. But I’ve found others in the neighborhood disagree, so I’m curious to hear their (and your) opinions.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    Ah. Well then no. I don’t think these Party Boats in and of themselves cause a greater risk or amount of violence to occur in the community.

    Should things be more regulated? Perhaps. But I don’t think it would change the frequency of acts of violence like this. If someone is determined to do harm or violently settle a score then they are going to act no matter the location. It’s not fair to change our lives and take away business prospects from people because of fleeting risks like that.

    Besides, without the party boats what do the docks have left? The fishing industry is slowly dying right? I see no reason the two businesses couldn’t co-exist.

    As for security, these are party boats, not fort knox. If someone is determined to sneak a weapon aboard they will, no matter the precautions taken. It couldn’t hurt to have a licensed security guard/bouncer aboard these party boats with a metal detector wand at the very least.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur B

    Ah. Well then no. I don’t think these Party Boats in and of themselves cause a greater risk or amount of violence to occur in the community.

    Should things be more regulated? Perhaps. But I don’t think it would change the frequency of acts of violence like this. If someone is determined to do harm or violently settle a score then they are going to act no matter the location. It’s not fair to change our lives and take away business prospects from people because of fleeting risks like that.

    Besides, without the party boats what do the docks have left? The fishing industry is slowly dying right? I see no reason the two businesses couldn’t co-exist.

    As for security, these are party boats, not fort knox. If someone is determined to sneak a weapon aboard they will, no matter the precautions taken. It couldn’t hurt to have a licensed security guard/bouncer aboard these party boats with a metal detector wand at the very least.

  • local broker

    it makes no difference if its on a boat or a restaurant or the street. when a large group of drunk people are in small spaces there is always a higher risk of something bad happening.

  • local broker

    it makes no difference if its on a boat or a restaurant or the street. when a large group of drunk people are in small spaces there is always a higher risk of something bad happening.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    I remember a time when there was a significant amount of violence in night clubs. Goes with the territory, I guess. And I’ll bet that incidents like this have little effect on the popularity of such events.

    But allowing 555 people in a space that has a legal limit of 400 is setting up a possibly dangerous situation, regardless of whether the ship left the dock or not.

    As this was probably a ticketed event the promoter is responsible. The captain followed the law as best as he was able to.

    The murder was an additional. The overcrowding alone is a problem.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001/ Lisanne!

    I remember a time when there was a significant amount of violence in night clubs. Goes with the territory, I guess. And I’ll bet that incidents like this have little effect on the popularity of such events.

    But allowing 555 people in a space that has a legal limit of 400 is setting up a possibly dangerous situation, regardless of whether the ship left the dock or not.

    As this was probably a ticketed event the promoter is responsible. The captain followed the law as best as he was able to.

    The murder was an additional. The overcrowding alone is a problem.

  • Lew from Breooklyn

    In response to a letter my ofice received from the Board of the Waterview Condominiums on this issue, we have asked the 61st Precinct to post a car during the time that the boats return to Emmons Avenue during the busy season. We are awaiting a response and will keep you posted.

    Lew from Brooklyn

  • Lew from Breooklyn

    In response to a letter my ofice received from the Board of the Waterview Condominiums on this issue, we have asked the 61st Precinct to post a car during the time that the boats return to Emmons Avenue during the busy season. We are awaiting a response and will keep you posted.

    Lew from Brooklyn

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    Lew! Spellcheck my man please! You’re supposed to be setting an example! I’m sorry but I would not want someone in office who can’t use proper English and grammar when communicating with the public. It’s kind of embarrassing.

    You’ve done the unforgivable and misspelled BROOKLYN. I mean really man. C’mon. BROOKLYN.

    It’s not like we’re talking about Manhattan, nobody can spell that right. But Brooklyn?!

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur B

    Lew! Spellcheck my man please! You’re supposed to be setting an example! I’m sorry but I would not want someone in office who can’t use proper English and grammar when communicating with the public. It’s kind of embarrassing.

    You’ve done the unforgivable and misspelled BROOKLYN. I mean really man. C’mon. BROOKLYN.

    It’s not like we’re talking about Manhattan, nobody can spell that right. But Brooklyn?!

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    Lew,

    Just to be clear, I’m not trying to chase you away. Please continue to contribute. I just have a high level of expectation from anyone that represents something. I don’t mean to chastise!

    -Arthur B who oftin maks his owner speeling earoars.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur B

    Lew,

    Just to be clear, I’m not trying to chase you away. Please continue to contribute. I just have a high level of expectation from anyone that represents something. I don’t mean to chastise!

    -Arthur B who oftin maks his owner speeling earoars.

  • http://www.gene-2009.com/ Gene B.

    Guys, please leave Lew alone with the spelling – he’s mentioned before on here that he has had multiple eye surgeries.

    Fair is fair, folks.

  • http://www.gene-2009.com Gene B.

    Guys, please leave Lew alone with the spelling – he’s mentioned before on here that he has had multiple eye surgeries.

    Fair is fair, folks.

  • Me

    Omar Trent R.I.P.

  • Me

    Omar Trent R.I.P.

  • Lew from Brooklyn

    Arthur,

    It is not my grammar or spelling that needs cirticism, it is my typing. I assure yo-u that regular snail mail from my office is always spell checked, something I insist upon before I sign the letter.
    I write and proofread my own newsletters, Arthur, and while my vision is slightly impaired, I would not use that as an excuse [thanks anyway, Gene).
    I work hard, and long hours. Some of my colleagues think I am nuts to engage in dialogue with folks on a number of blogs. That too is time consuming. So, please judge me on the substance of my words and actions. I’ll take the “C” in typing now, with apologies to my public school typing teacher Doris Ordan.

    Lew from Brooklyn

  • Lew from Brooklyn

    Arthur,

    It is not my grammar or spelling that needs cirticism, it is my typing. I assure yo-u that regular snail mail from my office is always spell checked, something I insist upon before I sign the letter.
    I write and proofread my own newsletters, Arthur, and while my vision is slightly impaired, I would not use that as an excuse [thanks anyway, Gene).
    I work hard, and long hours. Some of my colleagues think I am nuts to engage in dialogue with folks on a number of blogs. That too is time consuming. So, please judge me on the substance of my words and actions. I’ll take the “C” in typing now, with apologies to my public school typing teacher Doris Ordan.

    Lew from Brooklyn

  • Captain Pete

    Please rest assured both The Sheryll Princess and The Golden Sunshine have adequate security.EVERYONE IS HAND FRISKED…… even to the point where the clients complain that it is too invasiveand they feel violated. Both boats are striving to keep the neighborhood clean also. If you look closely at most of the trash in the street it is EASTERN European Vodka and European Beer bottles, sandwich wrappers etc.
    Nobody in our client’s circles drink things like the Campari Bottle shown on this site last year.
    Over the past 5 years we have struggled very hard and asked our clients to RESPECT the neighborhood.Things are alot better than before we started self policing. We also have a PERFECT RECORD with the police and they think we ar doing a good job with security. We ask our clients to go home quietly to avoid police problems, and most abide.
    We are one your side………………so don’t bash us as we try so hard to keep the neighborhood ship shape.

    Please feel free to contact me
    Capt Pete
    Sheryll Princess

  • Captain Pete

    Please rest assured both The Sheryll Princess and The Golden Sunshine have adequate security.EVERYONE IS HAND FRISKED…… even to the point where the clients complain that it is too invasiveand they feel violated. Both boats are striving to keep the neighborhood clean also. If you look closely at most of the trash in the street it is EASTERN European Vodka and European Beer bottles, sandwich wrappers etc.
    Nobody in our client’s circles drink things like the Campari Bottle shown on this site last year.
    Over the past 5 years we have struggled very hard and asked our clients to RESPECT the neighborhood.Things are alot better than before we started self policing. We also have a PERFECT RECORD with the police and they think we ar doing a good job with security. We ask our clients to go home quietly to avoid police problems, and most abide.
    We are one your side………………so don’t bash us as we try so hard to keep the neighborhood ship shape.

    Please feel free to contact me
    Capt Pete
    Sheryll Princess

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    Capt. Pete,

    No one is singling out anyone involved with the boats. Your security arrangement is both practical and could possibly lessen any problems that happen after the passengers disembark. It is appreciated.

    Vessels like yours help keep the Bay viable as a port. It is the most important aspect of our continuous history. Still, Emmons Avenue has had a long history of being a magnet for unsavory persons. The party boats are merely a possible contributor to a problem that already existed.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001/ Lisanne!

    Capt. Pete,

    No one is singling out anyone involved with the boats. Your security arrangement is both practical and could possibly lessen any problems that happen after the passengers disembark. It is appreciated.

    Vessels like yours help keep the Bay viable as a port. It is the most important aspect of our continuous history. Still, Emmons Avenue has had a long history of being a magnet for unsavory persons. The party boats are merely a possible contributor to a problem that already existed.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    Keep u the awesome work Pete. I think I was on The Golden Sunshine 4 years ago for the fourth of july fireworks. ..

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur B

    Keep u the awesome work Pete. I think I was on The Golden Sunshine 4 years ago for the fourth of july fireworks. ..

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    Keep up the awesome work Pete. I think I was on The Golden Sunshine 4 years ago for the Fourth of July Fireworks. We appreciate everything you do for the bay!

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur B

    Keep up the awesome work Pete. I think I was on The Golden Sunshine 4 years ago for the Fourth of July Fireworks. We appreciate everything you do for the bay!

  • Captain Pete

    Thanks for the support. Trying to keep the crowds organized is helping but “IT AIN’T EASY !”
    Joe from the Golden Sunshine and I do all we can to discourage’ hanging around”.
    That breeds problems. We also watch the size of the crowds etc.
    The Atlantis and The Amberjack are more upscale and cater to Weddings / Corp affairs etc.Most of the time they pick up in Manhattan anyway.The also run first class operations.

    I am however, worried that boats that normally don’t do business in Sheepshead Bay are threatening to come in during peak times and may cause undue havoc, make a mess, tie up traffic,.require parking for another 200 cars…. and then leave for their home port and of course we will be blamed. The area cannot sustain the results of another large vessel especially one with a track record like the one in question….. ask those locals about those crowds……….

    On the news they complained about bottles in the street AFTER boat trips…. etc etc

    You saw what happened at the South Street Seaport with reckless operators. Who is to blame???

    SOUTH STREET AREA RESIDENTS SAY IT’S always happening

    YOU KNOW how we run OUR business……and you know………
    You can ALWAYS hear Capt Andrew on the Sheryll Princess reminding the passengers ( on the way down the canal) that “NO BOTTLES OR CUPS or PLATES OF FOOD ARE ALLOWED TO BE CARRIED OFF THE BOAT( AND OUR SECURITY SEES TO IT) and PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR CARS AND HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME …. AND AS A REMINDER THE POLICE ARE PATROLLING THE AREA SO PLEASE GO HOME AND DO NOT BLAST YOUR RADIOS OR BLOW YOUR HORNS..PLEASE RESPECT THE NEIGHBORHOOD”……seems that is not so in the city

    They ARE coming to Sheepshead Bay………..THOSE SAME PEOPLE……..
    PLEASE DON’T BLAME ME !!!

    516 459 6564
    Capt Pete

  • Captain Pete

    Thanks for the support. Trying to keep the crowds organized is helping but “IT AIN’T EASY !”
    Joe from the Golden Sunshine and I do all we can to discourage’ hanging around”.
    That breeds problems. We also watch the size of the crowds etc.
    The Atlantis and The Amberjack are more upscale and cater to Weddings / Corp affairs etc.Most of the time they pick up in Manhattan anyway.The also run first class operations.

    I am however, worried that boats that normally don’t do business in Sheepshead Bay are threatening to come in during peak times and may cause undue havoc, make a mess, tie up traffic,.require parking for another 200 cars…. and then leave for their home port and of course we will be blamed. The area cannot sustain the results of another large vessel especially one with a track record like the one in question….. ask those locals about those crowds……….

    On the news they complained about bottles in the street AFTER boat trips…. etc etc

    You saw what happened at the South Street Seaport with reckless operators. Who is to blame???

    SOUTH STREET AREA RESIDENTS SAY IT’S always happening

    YOU KNOW how we run OUR business……and you know………
    You can ALWAYS hear Capt Andrew on the Sheryll Princess reminding the passengers ( on the way down the canal) that “NO BOTTLES OR CUPS or PLATES OF FOOD ARE ALLOWED TO BE CARRIED OFF THE BOAT( AND OUR SECURITY SEES TO IT) and PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR CARS AND HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME …. AND AS A REMINDER THE POLICE ARE PATROLLING THE AREA SO PLEASE GO HOME AND DO NOT BLAST YOUR RADIOS OR BLOW YOUR HORNS..PLEASE RESPECT THE NEIGHBORHOOD”……seems that is not so in the city

    They ARE coming to Sheepshead Bay………..THOSE SAME PEOPLE……..
    PLEASE DON’T BLAME ME !!!

    516 459 6564
    Capt Pete

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    The agencies that book these events also need to ensure that their end is handled properly, with consideration for the possible consequences of overbooking. The numbers should be limited to legal capacity of the ship when it is in motion.

    If any of the Manhattan ported boats decided to take on or release passengers from Sheepshead Bay they would need permission and clearance to do so. And that is not going to granted easily.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001/ Lisanne!

    The agencies that book these events also need to ensure that their end is handled properly, with consideration for the possible consequences of overbooking. The numbers should be limited to legal capacity of the ship when it is in motion.

    If any of the Manhattan ported boats decided to take on or release passengers from Sheepshead Bay they would need permission and clearance to do so. And that is not going to granted easily.

  • Captain Pete

    They are already coming… want a copy of the flyer ???
    They have access to pier 10 where they keep an UNDOCUMENTED….. UNINSURED……. and UNINSPECTED VESSEL callled the Navigator………..it’s what you would consider…. NOT USABLE… by the USCG. Call the USCG…. check on it Yet the city allows it to be moored in SH BAY

    It is the same people that own the ATLANTICA…. yes the one that South Street Residents say terrorizes them…….probably under two different corps…. but the same people
    They are bringing in Two Trinidadian Celebs for a midnight ride Labor Day SUN.

    The Golden Sunshine and I both have rides at that time.
    Hold on to you shorts………… the cars…. the people…. the chaos………….THE GARBAGE IN THE STREET
    Do you think they will respect SH BAY..???….. do they in NYC…..?????
    After all is said and done, and we all get messsed up from them…. they will retreat back to NYC and leave us with the mess fighting amongst ourselves………
    Just wonderful !!
    There is so much more…….
    feel free to calll me
    Capt Pete

  • Captain Pete

    They are already coming… want a copy of the flyer ???
    They have access to pier 10 where they keep an UNDOCUMENTED….. UNINSURED……. and UNINSPECTED VESSEL callled the Navigator………..it’s what you would consider…. NOT USABLE… by the USCG. Call the USCG…. check on it Yet the city allows it to be moored in SH BAY

    It is the same people that own the ATLANTICA…. yes the one that South Street Residents say terrorizes them…….probably under two different corps…. but the same people
    They are bringing in Two Trinidadian Celebs for a midnight ride Labor Day SUN.

    The Golden Sunshine and I both have rides at that time.
    Hold on to you shorts………… the cars…. the people…. the chaos………….THE GARBAGE IN THE STREET
    Do you think they will respect SH BAY..???….. do they in NYC…..?????
    After all is said and done, and we all get messsed up from them…. they will retreat back to NYC and leave us with the mess fighting amongst ourselves………
    Just wonderful !!
    There is so much more…….
    feel free to calll me
    Capt Pete

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    How about copying the labor unions and inflating a giant rat next to their dock!

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur B

    How about copying the labor unions and inflating a giant rat next to their dock!

  • Long Time Bay Resident

    You are only concderned about other boats coming in because you are afraid of the competition. Everyone in the bay know you are a money hungry idiot who has destroyed our town just to make money. I can't wait to celebrate when the Coast Guard shuts you down for overloading your boat.

  • Long Time Bay Resident

    You are only concderned about other boats coming in because you are afraid of the competition. Everyone in the bay know you are a money hungry idiot who has destroyed our town just to make money. I can't wait to celebrate when the Coast Guard shuts you down for overloading your boat.

  • Mario

    Pete Guoba is a moron and his captain is an idiot. It's a miracle no one has died on that boat yet. They had a fire on board last year that was hushed up, sooner or later there will be a tragedy on that boat due to the routine overloading. I have also smelled them pumping out their sewage tanks while cruising in Jamaica Bay. The DEP does nothing about that…why?