NYC Ferry Suspends Service Amid Icy River Conditions

Service may be out of operation 'for several days' due to ice buildup in East and Hudson Rivers.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:15pm

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The New York City Ferry suspended all service on Tuesday afternoon due to 'significant, continuing ice build-up' in the East and Hudson Rivers and across New York Harbor. The crew warned that the closure may last for several days as temperatures remain below freezing.

Why it matters

The NYC Ferry is a critical transportation option for many New Yorkers, providing connections between Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. The suspension of service could disrupt commutes and travel plans for thousands of residents and visitors.

The details

Tugboats were dispatched to try and clear the ice blocking the ferry routes, but the crew warned that 'operating in heavy ice conditions requires slow speeds and little to no notice regarding landing service suspensions.' The New York Waterway ferry service is also experiencing delays and modified schedules due to the icy conditions.

  • The NYC Ferry suspended service by 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.
  • The crew warned the closure 'may last for several days' as temperatures are expected to remain below freezing until February.

The players

NYC Ferry

A ferry service that provides transportation across the East and Hudson Rivers in New York City.

Luis Melendez

Riverkeeper Patrol Captain who has 16 years of experience navigating the New York Harbor.

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What they’re saying

“You're moving people from place to place, and you're navigating through these kind of like ice patch and ice floes.”

— Luis Melendez, Riverkeeper Patrol Captain (CBS News)

What’s next

With temperatures remaining below freezing, it is unclear when the ice accumulation will dissipate and allow the NYC Ferry to resume normal operations.

The takeaway

The suspension of NYC Ferry service highlights the challenges that extreme winter weather can pose to critical transportation infrastructure in the city. As climate change brings more unpredictable and severe weather, maintaining reliable and resilient public transit will be an ongoing priority for New York.