Big Orange Taxi

The Staten Island Ferry, one of the last operating ferry systems in New York, transported people between Manhattan and its surrounding boroughs long before bridges were introduced. Since 1817 to be exact.

1895

Nowadays, the Staten Island Ferry provides almost 22 million people with ferry service annually: taking almost 70,000 passengers daily between St George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street in Manhattan. 

The ferry is the only non-vehicular mode of transport between Staten Island and Manhattan. The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the maintenance of the ten-vessel fleet along with numerous facilities including the St George and Whitehall terminals in Staten Island and Manhattan respectively, the City Island and Hart Island facilities, and the Battery Maritime Building including all floating dock equipment.

The Staten Island Ferry is run for one simple reason, to provide transportation for those who need it. However, the Staten Island Ferry offers so much more, including a scenic view of the New York Harbor and a no-hassle way to view the city, for free! 

During the 25-minute ride, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are visible from on deck. The skyscrapers and bridges of lower Manhattan are there to see you off as you depart and welcome you back as you return. The weekday schedule of the Staten Island Ferry employs four boats that make a total of 117 trips a day - or about 40,404 trips year-round.

Between rush hours, the boats are refueled and maintained to ensure safe travel for all its passengers, terminals are routinely cleaned and maintained as well during the day shift. Weekends feature a similar schedule, employing three boats and only 96 trips daily compared to the frenzy of activity required during the workweek. In the post-9/11 world, passenger cars are no longer authorized to ride the ferry.

About twenty years ago I happened to be in Sturgeon Bay and was witness to a big, orange Staten Island Ferry cruising east in the direct of the ship canal.  Having completed its sea trials it was heading out for travel thru the seaway for delivery the the New York Department of Transportation.  I cannot recall which one it was but it was constructed and launched here in northeast Wisconsin.

We've been to new York many times of the years for business and travel.  Until this recent trip with the family I have never ridden the ferry.  About time to scratch that itch.

Since 1902, Fincantieri Marine Group has been designing and constructing some of the world's most advanced marine vessels ranging from small passenger ferries to large cargo ferries.  

Return Trip On The Spirit Of America

There are ten ferries in the current fleet and three were born and launched here: Guy V. Molinari, John J.Marchi and Spirit of America.  The keel of the Spirit was built with steel from the Trade Center Towers.  The vessel honors the spirit and unity of America following the attacks and the memory of all who were killed and the Civil Servants who perished trying to save them.

You can learn more here.

photo - Fincantieri Marine Group