Starting this Saturday, Brooklynites will again have direct, albeit limited, free summer ferry service to Governors Island.
Every Saturday, there will be complimentary rides from the Fulton Ferry Landing at the end of Old Fulton Street to the former Coast Guard base with its beckoning bike paths, picnic grounds and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline.
The boat’s schedule will change from week to week.
The free transportation, provided by the state, restores direct service to the isle that was started in 2007, but cut last year. In 2008, visitors could only get to the island from Manhattan, a neighboring borough.
Governors Island lies only 400 yards from Brooklyn’s shores and has long been seen as the borough’s sister, though it is technically part of Manhattan due to the way maps were perniciously drawn centuries ago.
State officials running the island’s activities and development declined to comment before Saturday’s inaugural voyage. State Sen. Daniel Squadron (D–Brooklyn Heights), who pushed for restoration of the service, said he’d be on the first boat on Saturday.
“It’s great to have it back,” he said.
The first ferry service departs from the foot of Old Fulton Street at 11:20 am on Saturday, June 6 and every 20 minutes thereafter. For info, visit www.govisland.com.
