Shore town rejects Seastreak's plan to run ferries from Manhattan

Point Pleasant Beach's Borough Council narrowly rejected a temporary license that would have let Seastreak ferries run weekend service from Manhattan this summer. In a 3-2 vote, council members Kitty Stillufsen, John Dixon and Andy Cortes voted no, citing a lack of upfront zoning and land-use approvals. The proposed pilot would have used a Captain Bill's Landing dock to offer eight peak-season weekends of service between Manhattan and Point Pleasant Beach. Seastreak officials said they were encouraged by early ticket sales but would pause plans for 2026 and redeploy vessels, depending on vessel availability and project priorities for 2027.

Seastreak President James D. Barker said the company is evaluating options and will decide whether to revisit the service in future seasons. Barker lamented that the decision came after extensive engagement with the mayor and borough administrator, calling the outcome frustrating. Some residents supported the concept but objected to the process, arguing the plan bypassed standard zoning procedures. The service was framed as a limited pilot to gauge demand before larger investments, with a focus on minimizing local impact in operations and passenger logistics. The fate of the Manhattan-to-Shore ferry now hinges on broader regulatory approvals and vessel availability.