Applying for a Suffolk County Ferry License

Thank you for taking the first steps toward apply for a ferry license! Detailed below, are all of the documents and steps you need to take to ensure your petition to the County is accurate and complete. Please contact the Legislature Clerk’s Office should you need any clarification on any of these requirements.

Overview of Ferry Petitions to the Suffolk County Legislature

Your business will need to provide two petitions to the Legislature Clerk’s Office. The first petition is for your license to operate within the waters of Suffolk County. This license can be effective for a period of 1 through 10 years and is subject to approval by the Suffolk County Legislature. The second petition is for setting your rates. This petition will include detailed information regarding the rates you are looking to set, including seasonal prices, discounts (if available), costs of shipping items (if this license is for a freight service), and is also subject to approval by the Legislature.

Items Needed to Be Included in Your Petition for License 

Petition Number 1

As referenced in Chapter 455-2: Ferry Service, below is a detail summary of the documents that must be included in your petition for a ferry license (please use this as a check list):

  1. The service to be rendered, including a year-round schedule of ferry service to be offered during the term of the license. [Amended 5-7-2013 by L.L. No. 25-2013]
  2. The term of license and franchise request.
  3. The identity of the petitioner.
  4. Routes over which the petitioner proposes to provide service, including the fixed termini, if any, between which the ferry service operations are to be conducted.
  5. Landing agreements of the routes over which the petitioner proposes to provide service.
  6. That the ferry will be kept within the County of Suffolk.
  7. The numbers and names of the proposed vessels to be employed by the petitioner in the performance of said ferry service.
  8. The names of owners of real estate through which that part of the highway adjoining the ferry shall run.
  9. The rates proposed to be charged by the petitioner for ferry service.
    1. If said rates shall be the same as those previously authorized by either a court or the Suffolk County Legislature, it shall be so stated, and a certified copy of the order or resolution, as applicable, shall be annexed to the petition as exhibits.
    2. If said rates shall be an alteration, reduction, change or modification of existing rates or if the petitioner is applying for the initial grant of a license and franchise, then the petitioner shall comply with § 455-3 of this chapter.

Petition Number 2

As referenced in Chapter 455-2: Ferry Service, below is a detail summary of the documents that must be included in your petition for a ferry license (please use this as a check list):

  1. Rates to be charged by the petitioner for ferry service
  2. Certified audited financial statement for each of the last two fiscal years and shall include:
    1. A balance sheet including net worth and retained earnings.
    2. Profit and loss statements, stating all income and expenses.
    3. A statement of changes in financial position.
    4. The report of the certified or licensed public accountant shall include a statement that the examination was made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and that the financial statements submitted by the applicant are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis. This report shall contain a representation and documentary evidence that the accountant or accounting firm has undergone a peer/quality review pursuant to the procedures of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants within the past five years.
  3. Each applicant shall maintain adequate accounting records to permit the preparation of the required audited financial statements. Such financial accounting records shall include, but not be limited to, the following records and procedures:
    1. Inventory controls.
    2. Passenger fare reconciliation forms.
    3. Monthly cash receipts journal.
    4. Periodic summary sales reports.
    5. Financial accounting procedures shall be designed to ensure the reliability and integrity of the accounting records.

This petition must be submitted to both the Clerk of the Legislature and the Director of BRO by emailing Ferry License.

After I have submitted my petitions, what’s next?