An incident involving a ferry crew has captured widespread attention.
A video circulating online shows two German tourists seemingly taking control of the Staten Island ferry as it navigated New York Harbor. This footage has prompted a municipal inquiry and potential disciplinary measures, according to recent reports.
The tourists were initially filmed drinking what appeared to be White Claws at Whitehall Terminal. They were then escorted through secure zones to the off-limits bridge of the ferry, named Dorothy Day. In the video, one of the tourists appears to be operating a joystick at the ferry’s helm, as reported by SI Live.
In the clip, the woman at the helm exclaims excitedly in English, “I’m driving the boat! I’m driving the boat! I’m driving the ferry!” Meanwhile, a person who seems to be a crew member can be heard offering guidance, instructing her to steer “to the middle, to the middle.”
Another segment of the video shows one of the women relaxing in a crew seat, accompanied by the caption, “He’s not texting me back, but at least I rode the Staten Island Ferry today.”
At this point, it is uncertain whether the tourist was genuinely steering the vessel or if the scene was orchestrated for effect.
Nevertheless, the city Department of Transportation said it would probe the incident — and punish anyone found responsible.
“This behavior is against our policies and completely unacceptable. We will be taking appropriate disciplinary actions against those responsible,” DOT told SI Live.
DOT did not respond to the Post’s request for comment.
Outraged commuters called the stunt a “severe breach of maritime safety and public trust,” according to the paper.
