Seastreak
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ferry transportation |
| Predecessor | TNT Hydrolines, Express Navigation |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Not specified , United States |
Area served | Port of New York and New Jersey, New England |
| Products | High-speed commuter ferry services, seasonal routes, special event excursions |
| Owner | New England Fast Ferry (since 2008) |
Seastreak is a privately owned ferry operator providing high-speed commuter transportation within the Port of New York and New Jersey area and New England. The company runs express ferry services linking the Raritan Bayshore region in Monmouth County, New Jersey to Manhattan, in addition to offering seasonal routes along the New England coastline and special event excursions for sightseeing.
History
Established in 1986 under the name TNT Hydrolines as a division of the Australian corporation TNT, Seastreak initially focused on ferry commuter routes between New Jersey and New York City. In 1994, the maritime operations were purchased by Australian company Holyman and rebranded as Express Navigation. Later, in 1999, Sea Containers took ownership of Express Navigation and changed its name to Seastreak. Following Sea Containers' bankruptcy in 2006, the company was sold to New England Fast Ferry two years later in 2008.
Vessels
The Seastreak fleet consists of ten diesel-powered catamarans featuring double hulls, designed by Australia's Incat Crowther and constructed domestically by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in Massachusetts. Prominent vessels such as the MV Nantucket Express, Seastreak Highlands, Seastreak New Jersey, and Seastreak New York each accommodate up to 505 passengers and reach speeds as high as 38 knots. Additionally, the company operates the Ocean State, which has a capacity of 149 passengers and cruises at 29 knots for seasonal routes serving Rhode Island; this vessel was built by Merrifield-Roberts.
The Martha's Vineyard Express and Whaling City Express—each capable of carrying 149 passengers at speeds of 29 knots—provide year-round service between New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard. These ferries were constructed by Derecktor Shipyards located in New York.
In 2016, Seastreak unveiled plans for a luxury ferry with a capacity of 600 passengers intended for Jersey Shore to Manhattan service. This vessel, named Commodore, was launched in March 2018 featuring seating for 760 passengers (520 indoors and 240 outdoors) and achieving a maximum speed of 35 knots.
Delivered in December 2021, the Courageous stands as the largest high-speed passenger ferry in the United States at 157 feet in length. Although initially sidelined due to decreased ridership amid the pandemic, it is designed to support East Side routes as well as seasonal trips connecting New Jersey/New York with Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
The latest addition to the fleet, the Millennium, originally built in 1998 and refurbished in 2023, commenced operations on July 31, 2023. It accommodates up to 406 passengers primarily on Belford/Middletown–Manhattan routes and can travel at speeds up to 36 knots. Formerly part of Rhode Island Fast Ferry’s fleet, this vessel was also constructed by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding.
Routes
Seastreak provides ferry connections between Atlantic Highlands and Highlands, both located in Monmouth County, New Jersey, with Manhattan terminals at Pier 11 at Wall Street and the East 34th Street Ferry Landing. The service also links Belford with multiple Manhattan points including Pier 11, Battery Park City Ferry Terminal, Paulus Hook Ferry Terminal, and West Midtown Ferry Terminal on the Hudson River. During morning peak hours, trips from the Raritan Bayshore area to Manhattan typically take approximately 40 minutes. Seasonal operations run from Memorial Day through Labor Day providing access to public beaches at Sandy Hook.
In earlier years, Seastreak operated ferry services to sporting venues such as Yankee Stadium and Citi Field for selected games; however, these services were discontinued prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2025, it was announced that service would resume for select Mets games at Citi Field with departures from Highlands, NJ and the St. George Terminal on Staten Island, New York. Beyond commuter routes, Seastreak offers "special event cruises" that include sightseeing tours, Broadway matinee trips, college football games at the West Point, as well as major city events like Macy's Fourth of July fireworks display and the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
On July 17, 2009, Seastreak initiated weekend ferry service connecting Highlands and New York City with Martha's Vineyard. The journey departs from NYC on Friday afternoons returning Sunday nights along a route following the coastline of the Long Island Sound, lasting approximately five to six hours. This seasonal offering expanded in 2015 to include Nantucket. Prior to this extension, Seastreak had explored weekend service options to Sag Harbor in the Hamptons but encountered regulatory challenges and concerns regarding local traffic congestion.
Hurricane Sandy ferry operation
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, which caused extensive damage to the IND Rockaway Line () and interrupted subway access to the Rockaway peninsula in Queens, Seastreak introduced a city-funded ferry route. This service linked a provisional dock at Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive in Rockaway Park with Pier 11/Wall Street in Manhattan's Financial District, extending onward to the East 34th Street Ferry Landing. Ahead of the temporary shutdown of the Montague Street Tunnel connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan, a stop at Brooklyn Army Terminal was incorporated in August 2013. By December 2013, the ferry was transporting an average of approximately 730 passengers daily between Rockaway and Manhattan, along with 250 passengers between Brooklyn and Manhattan, totaling close to 200,000 riders since its inception.
Originally intended as a provisional measure until subway service resumed in May 2013, the ferry's strong demand resulted in several contract renewals—from July 2013 through mid-October 2013, and subsequently until January 2014. Advocacy from community groups and local officials pushed for the establishment of a permanent subsidized ferry service. Although full subway operations through the Montague Street Tunnel recommenced in September 2014, many commuters opted to continue using the ferry despite its fare being $1 more expensive. In October 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared that the ferry service would be discontinued following the restoration of subway service. Despite efforts by local stakeholders to preserve it, operations ended on October 31, 2014 after Seastreak was unable to obtain a contract extension.
The ferry route serving Rockaway was reinstated on May 1, 2017, as part of the NYC Ferry network managed by Hornblower Cruises.
Accidents and incidents
In October 2003, a fire erupted onboard a ferry en route to the Raritan Bayshore, leading to the evacuation of eight passengers to Staten Island.
On January 9, 2013, while docking at Pier 11/Wall Street, MV Seastreak Wall Street struck the mooring structure, resulting in injuries to 85 passengers, two sustaining critical conditions. The ferry operator's president, James R. Barker, reported that around 300 individuals were aboard during this event. The incident was attributed to a malfunction within the vessel’s control system. Subsequently, numerous lawsuits were filed seeking compensation; by May 2013, thirty-seven claims had been submitted. Due to its occurrence on navigable waters, the case was assigned to admiralty court jurisdiction.
On June 5, 2021, the Commodore ran aground in Bushwick Inlet, Brooklyn. One crew member sustained injuries while approximately one hundred passengers were safely evacuated.
Appearances in media
The ferry is featured during a romantic sequence beneath the Brooklyn Bridge in Step Up 3D and is depicted operating in the year 2021 within Click. Additionally, it appears in the concluding shot of Gangs of New York (2002), with both the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center visible in the background.