Kids on Ferry Get Nautical and Naughty

By DYLAN CAMPBELL

While a ferry on a normal afternoon would be filled with commuters trying to make it to work or appointments, one ferry out of Astoria Thursday had a different set of riders who weren’t looking to commute, but to celebrate.

The celebration was sparked by the results of the second annual NYC Ferry boat naming competition, as three of the 10 winning classes of second graders set sail from the Queens port to see the sights and bask in their victory.

Students from P.S. 330 who conjured the name “Rainbow Cruise,” a class from P.S. 148 that picked “Spring Mallard” and two classes from P.S. 112 that selected “Starlight” and “Unity” lined up and filed into a private ferry on the drizzly afternoon. Much to the dismay of their teachers and chaperones, they were far too excited to sit.

Despite having named the ferries, this was their first boat ride for many of the kids. As the nearly 100 students chugged over the East River it was all giggles and cheers, and when the Statue of Liberty loomed into view, a ghostly apparition in the fog, tiny noses pressed to glass and kids clambered to get a peek. Though some students were nervous about the safety of the vessel, they quickly warmed up to the city views.

With demand for ferry trips growing faster than expected and boats filling daily with commuters, the city were scheduled to add 10 new boats that will be painted with the winning names masterminded by these kids and others. The winners ranged from the mature like “Spring Mallard” and “Unity” to the nautical themed liked “Seas the Day” to clearly-written-by-a second-grader and hilarious like “The Ocean Queen Rockstar” and “Rainbow Cruise.” “Golden Narrows,” “Starlight,” “The Jewel of The Harbor,” “The Atlantic Compass,” and “Traversity”, also crowned winners.

And like the names, the inspiration ranged from class-to-class.

For P.S. 330Q’s class, picking Rainbow Cruise was simple.

“We just did a rainbow and then a cruise,” one second grader from 330Q shouted when asked what inspired the name.

Meanwhile, the two classes of P.S 112 students got a bit more literary. The students behind “Starlight” said that they picked it because the North Star guides sailors to the destination; “Unity” was picked because it promotes togetherness.

“We picked Unity because it inspired us because it’s like being for justice and country, and it inspires people, that’s it,” said Amir.

“It means we are all together and not separated. Like, if we play a game, we play together,” agreed Leena.

Another student from the class said he loved the meaning so much he wanted to name his dog after it.

For P.S. 148, “Spring Mallard” was inspired by history.

“I picked it because it was one of the most highest speed trains in the, in the like 1940’s it was one of the most famous trains,” said Eddy, the student who suggested the name. He said he reads a lot of books about trains in the library.

When the students found out they won, excitement was indescribable.

“We were dancing all over the place,” said Lexi from P.S. 112.

And the dancing didn’t stop at the win, but continued on the boat as the dozens of second-graders struggled to sit still. And while most commuters would find such a ferry ride annoying, this new generation sees it a little bit differently. When asked if they were excited about being on the boat, every student said yes.

One student said she wished the ferry would fly. Why?  “Because when you fly, you get snacks.”

Photo by Dylan Campbell