Support provided by Northwell’s Mather Hospital, which delivers the five-star difference in exceptional care and is ranked by Medicare in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance and patient experience.
The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company has added its first new ferryboat in 21 years to its fleet.
The ferry company, a subsidiary of McAllister Towing, introduced its new vessel, Long Island, on Sunday after a five-day journey from Panama City, Fla. The ship was custom-built by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc., which also constructed the fleet’s two other vessels: PT Barnum (1999) and Grand Republic (2003).
The oldest ferry in the fleet, Park City, has been in service since 1986.
“The plan at the present time is to have a four-vessel fleet, which will give the company the opportunity to offer three-vessel service on weekends year-round, even if one ferry is in the shipyard,” said Fred Hall, vice president and general manager of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company.
Scroll down (or tap here) for an exclusive photo tour
The Long Island is a 1,000-passenger ferry with the capacity to carry 124 cars. It expected to begin its first voyage with passengers this month.
Powered by twin 3,000-horsepower engines, the ferry has a top speed of 17 knots. The trip across Long Island Sound will continue to take one hour and 15 minutes.
[Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters and we’ll keep you posted.]
This is the second ferry on the Bridgeport-to-Port Jefferson route to bear the name Long Island. The first operated from 1924 to 1936.
Designing the new vessel
The “Long Island” has arrived.
— Greater Long Island 📰 (@Greater_LI) December 23, 2024
The new, 302-foot-long vessel has been added to the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company.
It’s the fourth ship in the company’s fleet.
It pulled into Port Jefferson after a five-day voyage from Florida, where it was constructed. pic.twitter.com/BguPmL1Ky9
What went into designing the Long Island? Hall credited a collaborative process involving extensive input.
“The experience of the crews with all the previous folks and many, many suggestions,” said Hall. “We’ve listened to comments from customers along the way, and you sit down with a naval architect and an interior designer so everything comes together.”
One customer-inspired feature is a dedicated pet cabin for passengers traveling with their furry friends. Other innovations include redesigned seating areas for optimal use, such as the addition of counter seating.
Expansion plans
Caption: (L-R) The Ecolin Jewlery building at 14 East Broadway and the new ferry office at 116 West Broadway
The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company is also expanding its facilities. The operations building at 102 West Broadway will be split into two new locations.
The company is finalizing construction on a two-story office building at 116 West Broadway to accommodate back-office employees. Additionally, it has acquired the former Ecolin Jewelry Company building at 14 East Broadway, which will house reservations agents and the port captains group. Ecolin Jewlery relocated to Stony Brook after five decades in Port Jefferson.
The current operations building will be replaced with a new ferry terminal featuring a waiting area, public restrooms, and ticketing facilities.
Currently, cars and walk-on passengers share boarding space, creating congestion. Hall said that the new terminal is designed to resolve this issue by providing more room for vehicles.
The new facilities are expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2025.
Photo tour
Bar and lounge
Main seating areas
Bathroom
Outdoor seating
Pet cabin
Captain helm
Loading area
Exterior
