Missing New York Rower Story


I subscribe to a NYC kayakers list and it has been burning with talk about Jim Runsdorf, the Manhattan real estate
executive

who went missing
and was presumed dead yesterday after a 29-foot motorboat collided with his racing shell on the
Harlem River. Runsdorf has been missing since early Monday morning even though he was on the racing shell with two
others who, like Runsdorf, were all former college athletes. The two others were pulled from the water and taken to the
hospital with head injuries. By all appearances, this was an accident. The motorboat was identified as the Ready to
Jet, and police said that no charges were filed against the driver, as he passed a Breathalyzer test.

Well, the New York Rowing Association is holding a search for Runsdorf tomorrow
morning heading out from the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse. This is a tragedy, and very sad. But it raises questions about
boating in early (and late light). Several quotes give the impression that crafts on NYC rivers are in constant threat
of getting hit…and this seems to be a topic of great (and passionate) interest to the local boating community.