The first new vessel for cross-harbor service in 16 years was christened earlier this month. The Staten Island Ferry, SSG MICHAEL H. OLLIS is one of three new boats of this class to go into service.
Touring the new vessel, from left to right: Ray Hennessey, Wendy Shepherd, Rich Russo, Frank Lamiquiz and Keith Poissant. The NYDaily News reported on the naming of the boat with the following: The boat was named the Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, an Army Ranger from Staten Island’s New Dorp neighborhood who in 2013 died saving the life of a solider in Afghanistan.
“He fought from the front, he was a ranger,” Michael’s father Robert Ollis, a Gold Star parent, said during a ceremony for the new vessel. “I want to keep Michael’s name rolling forever and ever and ever.”
It was noted by an MM&P member that the consistent comment during the tour of the ferry was something on the line of “Wow, that’s an impressive boat with a lot of new equipment to train on.”