Boat crashes into light pier at Flushing Bay, security concerns raised

WILLETS POINT (WABC) -- When three people in a boat crashed into a Flushing Bay Light Pier on Saturday night, security notified the NYPD, who quickly responded to the scene.

Securing the perimeter of airports is job number one for the TSA and for the Port Authority, which operates the airports - a job that is especially difficult to do at Flushing Bay. Boats can get close to the edge of the LaGuardia property, but there is a security perimeter.

Around midnight Saturday, after traffic died down and after Marine patrols were finished for the night, the Port Authority said it spotted a pleasure boat after it had slammed into and then wedged itself under a light pier in Flushing Bay off of Runway 22.

The NYPD Harbor Unit was dispatched, and found two men and a woman aboard, the night after a night of partying. Two had minor injuries from the crash. Officers smelled alcohol on the breath of the man at the controls of the boat.

Craig Gallo was taken into custody and was charged with Boating Under the Influence.

The Port Authority said at no time was security in jeopardy, because flights ended for the night. At all times, that boat was being watched by their security cameras.