Change at New York Water Taxi

Change at New York Water Taxi

Helena Durst was named president of New York Water Taxi, the nine-year-old firm that her real estate mogul father, Douglas Durst, owns. She succeeds Water Taxi's founder, Tom Fox, who remains an adviser to the firm. The timing of her appointment, Ms. Durst said, has to do with her father “taking a step back from the Durst Organization and giving me more responsibility. It is a generational switch.” Ms. Durst is 33. In July, Mr. Durst plans to step down as co-president of the Durst Organization.

Among Ms. Durst's first initiatives is forging a relationship with German international ferry operation Forde Reederei Seetouristik that would allow the New York-based company to expand. She plans to increase New York Water Taxi's commuter service, currently limited to the East River. The ferry routes connect parts of Queens and Brooklyn to Manhattan. New York Water Taxi's fleet includes ten yellow Water Taxis, a luxury yacht called Zephyr and a speedboat thrill ride called the Shark. The company also operates three waterfront beaches at South Street Seaport, Long Island City and Governors Island.

Tom Fox will focus on the growth of these landside attractions. He will also retain his position as Interferry President and host of the 35th Annual Interferry Conference to be held in New York City from 3-6 October 2010. 
 

From Crain's New York Business