NEW SHOREHAM – The Block Island Ferry will be adding more boats this coming weekend to satisfy consumer demand, while also providing greater opportunity for social distancing.
The move comes on the heels of Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s concerns that people were not complying with social distancing guidelines and mask requirements while they were traveling on the ferry this past weekend. The governor mandated a 60% capacity policy for passengers traveling on the Block Island Ferry amid the crisis.
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Interstate Navigation Co., the company that operates the Block Island Ferry from Pt. Judith to Block Island’s Old Harbor, has been vigilant in educating the public with signage and communication before, during and upon disembarking from the ferry. In response to the concerns, the company will be adding additional trips beginning on Friday, with two more trips per day for its traditional ferry service and four trips per day for its high-speed vessel called the Athena. The traditional ferry, an hour-long trip to the island, holds a capacity of about 1,000 passengers, while the high-speed vessels carry 250 passengers.
Bill McCombe, director of security for the Block Island Ferry, said the company has been evaluating its ridership every two weeks since the pandemic began. “We are increasing trips to accommodate ridership and spread out passengers to help with social distancing. We recognize that it’s a social contract, but we also want to be a part of the solution.”
McCombe said the traditional ferry was operating at about “half capacity” over the weekend, with an estimated 300 people occupying the vessel’s top deck. “Even if you have 300 people on that deck the optics makes it look like a lot of people,” he said. “But the boat was operating within the guidelines set forth by the governor.”
Raimondo, who received complaints of overcrowding and a lack of mask wearing on the boat, praised Interstate Navigation for its compliance efforts and stressed the need for travel to the island to bolster its tourist season.
McCombe noted that there is language printed on the ferry company’s tickets that reads: “We are all in the same boat! Help us stop the spread of COVID-19. To keep our passengers and crew safe, we are requiring that all passengers wear a face covering and practice social distancing when traveling with us. Sail away SAFELY!”
As for the position of New Shoreham officials, First Warden Ken Lacoste told the Providence Business News that, “You can’t legislate stupid.” Lacoste lauded the ferry’s efforts, noting that it was “doing a good job” of educating the public about its safety measures and requirements.
Lacoste said while the ferry was not near capacity, he understands the concerns with people being non-compliant. Although, he noted that people were wearing their masks while walking in town with “business owners setting a good example.”
“We are in constant communication with the governor’s office,” said Lacoste. “We’re just going to have to work our way through it. It’s an indication that more education and communication is needed.”
Cassius Shuman is a staff writer and researcher at the PBN. You may reach him at Shuman@PBN.com.
