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Staten Island Ferry to shut down for hours on July 4 due to Navy celebration
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Jul 2, 2026
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CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Jul 2, 2026
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Staten Islanders looking to catch the ferry might not be cheering this July 4 as the city celebrates the country’s 250th birthday with a display of flyovers, fireworks and tall ships in the harbor.
The city transportation department plans to shut down the Staten Island Ferry from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., then again from 8 to 10 p.m. on Saturday to make way for more than 48 massive Navy vessels that will cruise up the Hudson River. The NYC Ferry will also adjust its schedules and close down for several hours on the holiday.
Officials said the Coast Guard made the call to shut down the ferries while the ships sail through.
There are still other ways to get between the borough and Manhattan or Brooklyn.
The MTA said it would run more bus service to and from Staten Island to make up for the ferry closures, with additional runs on the SIM1C, SIM3C, SIM4C, SIM33C express routes, as well as the S53 and S79 SBS local buses.
Staten Islanders could also drive into the city, but the holiday is expected to bring gridlocked traffic.
Frank Morano, the city councilmember representing Staten Island’s South Shore, said he wants the city to make sure ferry riders know about the service disruptions.
“A five-and-a-half hour ferry shutdown is a huge disruption for an island surrounded by water, so my main concern is making sure residents have clear notice and transit alternatives,” Morano said. “I’m going to work to vocally advocate that with DOT and certainly communicate it to Staten Islanders.”
Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn encouraged Staten Islanders to plan ahead.
“This July 4 holiday will bring larger celebrations than ever before as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We welcome all New Yorkers to join in the festivities and encourage Staten Islanders to plan around these Coast Guard regulations,” Flynn said in a statement. “We will be coordinating closely with the MTA to ensure regular bus service will be able to accommodate any ferry riders needing alternate mass transit options.”
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new york city
staten island
transportation
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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