Casino Pier Jet Star Roller Coaster
14 photos
- Hurricane Sandy did a number on Casino Pier—who could forget the haunting image of the Jet Star rising out of the Atlantic? Fortunately, the boardwalk has made a complete turn around. This summer marks the debut of the Hydrus coaster, a 72-foot tall helix-stye roller coaster.
- Left: After Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast in Oct. 2012, the Jet Star roller coaster in Seaside Heights, N.J., was left in ruins. It was demolished in May 2013. Photo by Matthew Clark.
In 1969, the Anton Schwarzkoph masterpiece Jet Star roller coaster was added. In 1975, Casino Pier added the United States first Enterprise ride. In 1979, Casino Pier added the Luv Bugs (Mack designed) indoor/outdoor roller coaster.
Construction workers have begun dismantling the Jet Star roller coaster in Seaside Heights, NJ. A symbol of Superstorm Sandy, the roller coaster has sat in the Atlantic Ocean for several months after the Casino Pier it sat on collapsed when Sandy hit.
Casino Pier Jet Star Roller Coaster Ride
- Workers on lunch break watch the removal of the Jet Star roller coaster May 14, 2013. The structure has been in the ocean for six months after the pier it was on collapsed during Superstorm Sandy in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. The Casino Pier has contracted Weeks Marine to remove the Jet Star roller coaster from the Atlantic Ocean. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- A large crane demolishes the Jet Star roller coaster May 14, 2013 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- A large crane demolishes the Jet Star roller coaster May 14, 2013 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- A large crane demolishes the Jet Star roller coaster May 14, 2013 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- A large crane demolishes the Jet Star roller coaster May 14, 2013 that has been in the ocean for six months after the Casino Pier it sat on collapsed when Superstorm Sandy hit. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- Tug boats stand by as a large crane demolishes the Jet Star roller coaster that has been in the ocean for six months May 14, 2013 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- Workers prepare to remove the Jet Star roller coaster May 14 that has been in the ocean for six months after the Casino Pier it sat on collapsed when Superstorm Sandy hit. The Casino Pier has contracted Weeks Marine to remove the Jet Star roller coaster from the Atlantic Ocean. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- The Jet Star roller coaster remains in the ocean May 4, 2013 as work continues the new boardwalk that was damaged six months ago by Superstorm Sandy. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- Bartender Mike Palazzo wears a sombrero at the Aztec bar located in front of the Jet Star roller coaster that still remains in the ocean after it was damaged six months ago by Superstorm Sandy. Photo taken May 4, 2013. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- A woman looks at a roller coaster sitting in the ocean, when the boardwalk it was built upon collapsed during Hurricane Sandy, in Seaside Heights, New Jersey November 28, 2012. (Andrew Burton/Reuters)
- The extensive damage to an amusement park roller coaster in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy is seen in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, November 13, 2012. (Tom Mihalek/Reuters)
- Waves break in front of a destroyed roller coaster wrecked by Superstorm Sandy on October 31, 2012 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Surf rolls past a destroyed roller coaster wrecked by Superstorm Sandy on October 31, 2012 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
By Lauren Wanko
NJ Today
It’s been stuck in the Atlantic Ocean for more than six months. Today, a 150-ton crane finally began pulling pieces of the Jet Star roller coaster from the water.
“You know it’s been one of those double edge swords you go through. I think it’s the thing that got us the publicity, it put the eyes of the world on Seaside Heights,” said Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers. “So now what we’re seeing is the next natural step in progression. So it shows that we’re progressing, we’re moving along in a good timeline too, that we’re in the next stage of the new Seaside Heights.”
Crowds gathered along restaurant balconies to snap pictures. It was emotional for Oakland resident Patricia Hurley.
“Oh it’s sad because I used to ride that roller coaster years ago when I was a kid, so it was kinda sad,” Hurley said.
“Just like the rest of the boardwalk, it means a lot to many people growing up here in Jersey. Everyone’s been pretty much to the boardwalk so it’s sad, but I mean they’re doing such a fantastic job building it back up, the memories will be there even though everything is going to be kinda new,” said Waretown resident Lucy Sutera.
“I’m glad because it shows that they’re having the progress that they need. That is a hazard. They could not open a beach with that,” said Pompton Plains resident Carmen Holster.
Casino Pier hired Weeks Marine to remove the coaster and three other rides submerged underwater. The job’s estimated to take about 48 hours. Crews will work around the clock.
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“They did, before they started the project, do a hydro-graphic survey to make sure they knew where everything was in the water, to make sure the project was done completely,” said Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach Spokesman Toby Wolf. “Once they do the removal process, they will do sonar imaging again to ensure that everything has been removed.”
Casino Pier officials already have a plan in place for portions of the now famous ride.
“We have requested to have a section of the Jet Star given to us that we will place on the reconstructed Casino Pier, in 2014 as a memorial and tribute not only to Casino Pier but to the entire Jersey Shore and our resiliency,” Wolf said.
“As much as we’re tired, we’re also bolstered by the fact that we’ve got a big summer coming up and we’re looking forward to getting into it and getting back to work, in whatever normal’s gonna be for the summer,” said Operations Director Lou Cirigliano.