Staten Island Ferry: 3 ways to report a lost item

An iconic ferry service that is operated by the NYC Department of Transportation, the Staten Island Ferry offers a unique and enjoyable experience for both residents and tourists alike. The history of the organization stretches back to 1817, making it one of the oldest continuously operating ferry services in the world. The Staten Island Ferry traverses a 5.2-mile route through New York Harbor, connecting Staten Island with Lower Manhattan.

One of the most appealing features of the Staten Island Ferry is that the rides are completely free of charge, making it a very budget-friendly option for commuting or sightseeing. In addition to that, the ferry operates around the clock, with departures every twenty or thirty minutes, making it accessible for most passengers. And while traveling on the Staten Island Ferry, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the New York Harbor, where travelers can catch glimpses of Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, and also the impressive Manhattan skyline.

Since the Staten Island Ferry is a vital transportation link for island residents and also a popular tourist attraction, items such as lost baggage or electronic gadgets such as mobiles or laptops can be very common. If you are one of them who has experienced the pain of losing your precious belonging, then the ferry’s ‘lost and found’ department can be helpful. To learn more, continue reading our extensive guide.

3 Ways to Report Lost and Found

There are two primary ways through which you can report a lost item or inquire about a found item on the Staten Island Ferry – the first is by contacting the NYC311 and the other is by contacting the ‘lost and found’ office (phone, email, or physical visit).

For the uninitiated, NYC311 grants you access to non-emergency services and information about government programs in New York City. It should be known that reporting to NYC311 can only be done online. To start any of the aforementioned ‘lost and found’ reporting processes for the Staten Island Ferry, go through the steps neatly described below.

Reporting Directly at the Location

To report a ‘lost and found’ request to the Staten Island Ferry main office, the following steps should be carried out.

1. Begin your journey by first heading over to the Staten Island Ferry headquarters at the St. George Terminal at 1 Bay Street, Staten Island. You need to specifically visit the ‘waiting room’, which is next to the NYPD Police Room. The operating hours are from Monday to Friday, between 8 AM and 4 PM.
2. At the ferry’s office, state that you want to report a ‘lost and found’ request and then proceed to share all the necessary details that will aid them in the investigation process.
3. Provide your personal details first, such as your full name, email address, phone number, and residential address.
4. After that, state the date and time on which the item was lost, along with the details regarding the location where you lost your belonging. These include the ferry or terminal name, the direction in which the ferry was traveling, etc.
5. Lastly, describe your lost belonging first by stating what type of item it was, its color, make and model, brand, etc., so that a thorough understanding of the product can be obtained.

Once you provide all the necessary information, you will be asked to wait for the investigation to be completed, after which you will be contacted by the relevant authorities.

Reporting Over the Phone

Reporting your ‘lost and found’ request over the phone is the easiest way to get the investigation started, which you can perform through the below-mentioned steps.

1. First, you need to make a phone call to the Staten Island Ferry head office by dialing either 311 (within New York) or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) if you are outside New York.
2. Select the relevant on-call options to speak to a customer care executive about reporting a ‘lost and found’ request.
3. When an agent connects to your call, provide your name, contact details, and residential address before anything else.
4. After that, provide your travel details, including the date and time on which the item was lost.
5. Finally, describe your lost belonging properly, such as its type, color, shape, product brand, etc.

Once the customer support representative receives all the required information, you will be asked to wait for a follow-up response from the relevant authorities on the status of the investigation.

Reporting Online via Email

To report a ‘lost and found’ request online with NYC311 or via email with Staten Island Ferry customer support, follow the steps recommended below.

1. Start by first heading over to the official website of NYC311 here.
2. On the landing page, click on ‘Report a Lost or Found Item’ and you will be redirected to a new web page.
3. Fill out the online form by first providing a detailed description of your lost property, including the approximate date and time on which it was lost.
4. After that, you need to fill in your travel details, such as the location type (ferry or terminal), the name of the ferry or terminal where the item was lost, and the direction in which the ferry was traveling. You can also provide any additional information you may deem fit.
5. Lastly, state your personal details, such as your name and contact details. Once done, review your request and successfully submit it. After that, wait for a follow-up response from the NYC311 authorities.

In addition to filing a request online, you can also send an email containing all the required information (as mentioned above) to ferrycustomerservice@dot.nyc.gov.