Staten Island Ferry Gets Major Storm Safety Upgrade

The Staten Island Ferry system is getting an upgrade that includes new storm-resilient boats and docking stations, thanks to almost $192 million in federal funding from the Department of Transportation.

"Following the unspeakable devastation on Staten Island wrought by Superstorm Sandy, with this massive federal investment that we fought so hard to secure, we can truly say that Staten Island’s ships have come in,” said Sen. Charles Schumer. “After Sandy, we were again reminded how important ferries are to our transit system during emergencies, and that’s why we need modern, resilient and reliable ferries."

“The Staten Island Ferry is a lifeline that’s vital to New York City’s economy and to the health and safety of our people. These upgrades will improve commutes for thousands of Staten Islanders and ensure we have more reliable, more flexible ferry service when emergencies strike," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Image: Peter Minuit Plaza, at the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall terminal, was flooded during Hurricane Sandy. (NYC Department of Transportation)

Two new vessels will be added to the Staten Island Ferry fleet, each capable of carrying 4,500 passengers. They will be more capable of operating in a wide range of weather conditions and locations, and can be used in evacuations. The ferry terminals at St. George and Whitehall will get flood-proofing upgrades. Four landing stations will be modified to handle future storms, including the stations at Hunters Point and East 34th Street.

More than 20 million people ride the Staten Island Ferry every year. The fleet now includes two ships that are 33 years old, and one that's almost 50 years old.