Hurricane will force halt of Staten Island Ferry service

With Hurricane Irene approaching New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced during his press conference today that Staten Island Ferry service by 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 27. There was a possibility of the ferry service being halted sooner if winds and wave conditions make it difficult for the boats to land at the dock.

Commuter ferry services operated by the New York Economic Development Corporation were suspended on Friday, Aug. 26, after the evening rush hour.

“If sustained wind speeds reach 46 miles an hour and navigation becomes difficult, the Staten Island Ferry service may be suspended. Safety is the most important thing. I know it’s inconvenient, but these boats are big, and it’s very difficult to land them at the dock when the winds are blowing anything at that speed or higher,” said Mayor Bloomberg on Friday.

The move came as the city said it would halt all of its bus and subway service by noon today.

More than 375,000 New Yorkers are expected to leave coastal zones under a mandatory evacuation order issued by the Mayor.

August 27, 2011