For Shelter Islands ferries, special COVID-19 protocols are in place to keep passengers and crew safe so that these vital links can remain in operation during this health emergency.
Shelter Island’s ferries link us to Long Island’s North and South Forks, and we all have a part to play in helping to keep them running. The two ferry companies, independently owned and operated, have announced new guidelines aimed at reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus.
If you’re COVID-19 positive (or may be)
And the Town is supporting those efforts by offering free ferry passes for anyone with COVID-19 or those who believe they may have symptoms, and must use a ferry to get medical treatment.
Call the Police Department’s non-emergency number, 631-749-0600, to make arrangements to pick up a pass that can displayed in such a way that the driver does not have to interact with ferry personnel. Do not enter the police station; an officer will meet you outside and affix the pass to your vehicle.
After boarding the ferry, remain in your vehicle to limit exposure to the ferry crew and other passengers. The pass affixed on your vehicle will allow you to utilize the ferry service without the need to interact with ferry staff, reducing the potential exposure to essential service personnel.
Here’s what you need to know from the two ferry companies:
South Ferry
The South Ferry, which connects the Island to North Haven and the South Fork, posted the following notice to customers:
“These are indeed trying times. South Ferry is in a unique position insofar as of our inability to simply shut down and send our employees home. We are part of the critical infrastructure of Shelter Island and must be at the ready to transport resources, goods, services and people on and off the Island.”
“As part of the Island’s Emergency Management team, we take this responsibility extremely seriously and are continuously updating our practices, procedures, staffing and scheduling as the Coronavirus situation continues to evolve.”
“We wanted to let our customers know that we are taking significant measures to make our workplace as safe and sanitary as possible while also providing the service you’ve become accustomed to.”
“All our crew have access to gloves, masks and enhanced hand washing facilities while working. Crews are sanitizing vessel touch points at the beginning, throughout, and at the end of their shifts and are being scheduled together as consistently as possible to reduce unnecessary contact.”
“Crew members not feeling well are going home, and our office staff are working reduced hours and have implemented measures to reduce physical contact during points of sale. Management is monitoring the situation and taking further preventative measures as necessary.”
“If you will be traveling with South Ferry, help us and yourselves by minimizing the use of cash through purchasing your one way, round trip, commuter pass, pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle or 10-trip books online” at https://southferry.com.
[UPDATE: On Monday, March 23, South Ferry announced it will scale back service by eliminating late boats on weekends due to reduced demand. The company is advising residents seeking discount tickets to order by telephone or by mail. Learn more about these changes in this Gazette post.]
Reducing shift lengths
The South Ferry also announced it will be reducing shift lengths from nine hours to six hours to reduce the potential daily exposure for crew members, Operations Manager Nicholas Morehead said Monday.
“Each week going forward we will be directing three crew members to stay home for a week,” he said. “This keeps them out of the crew rotation and helps ensure an emergency reserve of health crew in the event of any outbreak.”
“We are also coordinating local RN’s and doctors working on the front lines to ensure travel on South Ferry without interaction with crew, ” Morehead said.
North Ferry
The North Ferry, which operates in parnternship with the Shelter Island Heights Property Owners Corporation and connects the Island to Greenport and the North Fork, has posted “10 Tips for Making Your North Ferry Ride Safer for You and Our Crew.”
“North Ferry is committed to the health and safety of our passengers and crew. Using a professional cleaning company and additional staff, we have increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting all shoreside facilities. All vessel doorknobs, railings and other frequently touched surfaces are being sanitized often. Our crew regularly sanitizes their hands or gloves. “
“Working together, we can reduce the spread of the virus. When riding North Ferry, please consider the following:
- Be prepared with a ticket, exact change or a completed check payable to North Ferry Co. This is particularly important if you are ill or have been exposed to COVID-19. Rates are available at www.northferry.com or call the office at 631-749-0139.
- North Ferry has increased the number of books available at the office window to four per household, per week. The cost of discounted tickets is $58 for a book of 10 roundtrips (must originate on Shelter Island) and $54 for a book of 10 one-way trips.
- Order tickets via US mail by sending us a check and a pre-addressed stamped envelope. We will turn around mail orders the same day they are received. Ticket delivery is subject to US Postal Service schedules.
- If you board with a vehicle, please have all drivers and passengers remain in the vehicle for the duration of the trip. Vehicle engines should remain off and your emergency brake should be set.
- If you are a 5- or 6-Day commuter, display your commuter card behind the glass so it can be scanned.
- Keep your windows closed at all times other than when engaging with the crew.
- If you are a commercial account and have not had all your fleet ‘stickered’, please come by the office on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
- Keep sanitizer and disinfecting wipes in your vehicle. If you do not have access to these items, you may use 70 percent isopropyl alcohol to sanitize hands after coming in contact with cash (or to sanitize your steering wheel and other high touch areas in your vehicle).
- Foot passengers should practice social distancing of 6 feet when in the ferry terminal, going through the turnstiles and while boarding. Weather permitting, foot passengers may remain outside the passenger cabin.
- There are restrooms with hot water and soap on both the Shelter Island and Greenport sides of the route. Wash your hands or sanitize after touching money, tickets or high touch surfaces in accordance with CDC guidelines.
“Office hours will be slightly reduced to 10AM through 4PM, Monday through Friday, and 9AM to noon on Saturdays. North Ferry appreciates your patronage and understanding during these stressful times. We are doing our best to keep our customers/ crew healthy and the ferries operating.”
[FURTHER UPDATES: Ferry operators spoke at a recent meeting of the Town’s emergency management team. Read this Gazette post to find out what they had to say. You can watch that meeting on Channel 22, the Town’s public access station.]
