By
Lindsay James |
For nearly eight decades, Fire Island Ferries has been the lifeline connecting Long Island with the barrier island communities of Fire Island. Based in Bay Shore, New York, the operator transports over one million passengers annually across the shallow waters of the Great South Bay.
“We operate 14 ferries, nine water taxis, a number of tugboats and barges,” says Tim Mooney, president of the family-run business. “We run across seven nautical miles of open water. Our work is seasonal – 80 per cent of our traffic is condensed into just two months.”
Fire Island is a sandbar stretching 50 kilometres long and only half a kilometre wide. “It’s a short, 25-minute to 30-minute crossing,” says Mooney. “Our boats are essentially like school buses on the water – they are 24-metre vessels carrying 400 people. We don’t offer food, drink or even bathrooms. We’re moving people efficiently, and that’s what we do best.”
It’s this speed and efficiency that have underpinned the company’s long-term success, along with its tight-knit leadership. “We’re family-owned and operated, and that’s both a blessing and a curse,” says Mooney. “Two of our four children are in the business. Brendan is our chief financial officer and Morgan – also known as Captain Morgan – oversees operations, insurance, media and now leads our marine services division as chief executive officer.”
According to Mooney, the involvement of the next generation brings valuable insight and energy. “Morgan has had a real impact on our risk management and safety protocols through her work with organisations like Interferry and the Passenger Vessel Association,” he says. “Brendan has an eye for growth. Thanks to him, we’ve launched a cocktail cruise business and expanded our marine services – all in response to a passenger market that’s reaching capacity.”
Running Wild is Fire Island Ferries’ cocktail cruise vessel and sails tours of the Great South Bay from Bay Shore
Innovation aside, Fire Island Ferries remains deeply rooted in the local community. “We’ve been in the same spot in Bay Shore since 1948,” says Mooney. “At the height of the summer season, we employ around 350 local people. We have staff handling parking, ticketing, water taxis, ferries and marine services. It’s a big operation, but the advantage is everyone’s home every night.
Two-thirds of the company’s employees are under 24. “Local parents love us,” says Mooney. “We start hiring children at 16, and many go on to become captains. All of our ferry captains are homegrown.”
Looking ahead, Fire Island Ferries is focused on sustainability and diversification. “We’re repowering our vessels with cleaner diesel engines, but we’re letting others with deeper pockets figure out electric first,” says Mooney. “We’re also exploring geographic expansion for our cocktail cruises and marine services.”
Ultimately, the company’s future will continue to be firmly tied to its heritage. “My father started as a deckhand in 1948 and bought the business in 1970,” says Mooney. “I joined in 2004. Now my children are here too. Succession planning isn’t easy – but I feel lucky to have family who want to be involved. It’s pretty neat.”
Mooney’s passion for his job is clear to see – and this passion extends to the industry as a whole. As Interferry’s outgoing chairman, Mooney remains committed to broader industry progress. “I’ve served 12 years on the board and it’s been incredibly rewarding,” he concludes. “For ferry operators not involved with Interferry – get involved. It’s a great community.”
Discover more insights like this in the Autumn/Winter 2025 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. Don’t miss out – subscribe for FREE and get the next issue delivered straight to your inbox.