Can You Fly a Drone From the Staten Island Ferry?

Why the Ferry Is Not a Drone Launch Site

The Staten Island Ferry operates between St. George Terminal on Staten Island and Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan. While the views of New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and the Manhattan skyline are spectacular, attempting to fly a drone from the ferry presents multiple legal and safety obstacles:

FAA Regulations

The ferry route crosses through New York Class B airspace with LAANC grid ceilings likely at 0 ft AGL near the Manhattan terminal. The harbor is also an active helicopter corridor—the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and other heliport operations create constant rotorcraft traffic at low altitudes.

Under 14 CFR Part 107, operators must maintain visual line of sight and control of the drone at all times. A moving vessel in a busy harbor with wind, salt spray, and variable conditions makes this extremely challenging.

NYC Law

Under § 10-126, taking off or landing a drone anywhere in NYC outside of a designated location requires an NYPD permit. The ferry itself is not a designated takeoff or landing site, and its terminals are on NYC property. Even if you obtained an NYPD permit for a fixed location, it would not cover a moving vessel.

Maritime Safety

New York Harbor is one of the busiest waterways in the United States. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains active oversight of harbor operations. A drone falling into the water near the ferry or other vessels could create a navigation hazard.

Legal Alternatives for Harbor Views

If you want aerial footage of New York Harbor:

• Apply for an NYPD permit for a fixed waterfront location on Staten Island or in Brooklyn with appropriate airspace clearance
• Check LAANC grid ceilings at potential launch sites away from the most restricted areas
• Consider locations where Class B ceilings may allow some altitude