Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Spirit-Of-America

On the evening of May 17, 2013, the ferry 'Spirit of America' experienced a power failure while approaching the St. George Ferry Terminal, resulting in an allision with dock pilings. The incident occurred at 6:22 p.m. as the vessel was maneuvering into Slip 6, leading to a collision with pilings near an adjacent slip which was occupied by another boat. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the ferry sustained no significant damage during the encounter. Eyewitness accounts from the 972 passengers onboard revealed that an announcement warning of a potential impact was made approximately 30 seconds before the rough docking occurred. Passengers described a sense of urgency as a deckhand hurriedly descended to the cabin, followed by an announcement instructing passengers to 'be prepared for impact.' An additional crew member advised passengers to 'back up and sit down.' Although power has been restored to three of the ferry's drives, the 'Spirit of America' remains out of service pending a thorough investigation into the incident. The U.S. Coast Guard has been informed and is overseeing the investigation, while crew members are undergoing routine drug testing as part of standard procedure. Despite the mishap, ferry services continued on their regular schedule throughout the evening.

In a significant stride towards sustainability, the Staten Island Ferry system has secured a substantial federal allocation of $2,340,000 for a pioneering initiative aimed at converting diesel-powered vessels to liquefied natural gas (LNG). Announced by U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, this funding is part of the federal Department of Transportation's Ferry Boat Discretionary Program. This innovative pilot program will facilitate the transformation of one Staten Island ferryboat, shifting it from ultra-low sulfur diesel to the cleaner-burning liquefied natural gas. The conversion is projected to reduce operational fuel costs by nearly 50%, while also mitigating harmful emissions and enhancing the use of domestically sourced LNG that tends to experience less price fluctuation. This move aligns with broader efforts to foster environmental sustainability and decrease dependence on traditional fossil fuels.