Deputy sheriffs busted up a party boat after it returned to dock in the Lower East Side Saturday night, cuffing two promoters and issuing a summons violation to the captain.
About 172 people were aboard, partying into the evening despite emergency COVID-19 restrictions after the boat, Liberty Belle, took off from Pier 36 about 8:30 p.m.
When the boat returned about three hours later, the Sheriff's team hopped aboard and arrested the two promoters—Ronny Vargas and Alex Sauzo.
Both were issued desk appearance tickets for an unlicensed bottle club and bar, storing alcohol without a permit, and violating emergency orders regarding coronavirus social distancing protocols. They were processed and released from custody at the Sheriff's headquarters in Long Island City, according to finance department spokesperson Jacqueline Gold.
The boat allegedly lacked a State Liquor Authority license to serve drinks, and all alcoholic beverages were seized by the deputy sheriffs.
The captain of the ship was slapped with a summons after the party for not displaying a proper identification number on the boat.
One Lower East Side resident association wondered who is responsible for cracking down on the "floating nightclubs."
Liberty Belle, which is part of a fleet operated by the company Empire Cruises, can fit up to 600 people across three indoor and three outdoor decks. The company boasts it is the "largest classic-style river boat in our fleet," and perfect for "promotional events, non-profits, concerts, corporate outings, church parties, and more."
On the company's website, the most recent COVID-19 update notes that due to the city's emergency orders in mid-March, "we have been forced to cease our operations until further notice."
A phone call to the company, based out of Skyport Marina on the East River, was not answered Sunday afternoon.
