What Is a Ferry Boat?

A ferry boat is a type of ship or watercraft that transports people, cargo, and/or vehicles across a body of water. They are used for short-distance connections between ports or cities, or for long-distance transportation to and from large islands.

A ferry is an essential part of the public transportation system in many cities and islands, where it enables direct transit at a lower capital cost than bridges or tunnels. It also helps keep waterside communities and islands connected to other parts of the world.

Ferries can be operated by private companies or by State and local governments, as well as Native American tribes. For example, the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe maintains and operates a ferry service that connects Lake Havasu City in Arizona with Havasu Lake in California.

The Federal-aid highway program has long recognized the important role ferries play in helping States and local communities connect to schools, jobs, and other vital services. This includes ferry services that support public road networks, such as the Staten Island Ferry, which shuttles 70,000 passengers from St. George on Staten Island to Whitehall Street in lower Manhattan every weekday.

Congress authorized FHWA’s Ferry Boat Program to provide funding through State departments of transportation (DOTs) to ferry systems and public entities responsible for developing ferries. Funds may be used for a variety of activities, including designing and constructing vessels and planning, acquiring rights-of-way, and constructing ferry terminal facilities.

For example, funds provided by the program have helped the Water Emergency Transportation Authority of San Francisco expand its Ferryboat service between Oakland and Alameda, California. Its fleet of 11 ferries ranges from catamarans that carry 149 passengers to larger ferries that can hold up to 355 passengers.

A river ferry is a boat that crosses rivers by ferrying vehicles and passengers. It usually carries more than one vehicle, and it has at least two flaps at its bow and stern that open wide to accommodate vehicles.

In the United States, ferry boats are a common form of intercity transportation. They are available on most of the major waterways in the country and have been in use since the 17th century.

There are many different types of ferries, and some are specially designed for specific purposes. For example, some ferries are designed to transport railway vehicles and cars on the same route, and some have special features such as a double-ended hull that alternates between the front and back of the vessel.

Hydrofoils, which can sail faster than hovercraft, have recently replaced them on some English Channel routes. The new ships can also carry more passengers, and they are often smaller, enabling them to travel further between ports than traditional ferries.

Today’s ferries are made from steel, but they can also be made with composite materials such as fiberglass or polyurethane. In addition to improving the safety of ferries, these materials are also much more environmentally friendly than traditional wood and iron construction. They can reduce the need for paints and other stains and help prevent corrosion. Moreover, they can be built to operate at higher temperatures and require less fuel than traditional boats.