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NYC Ferry and Billion Oyster Project plan floating classroom for 10,000 students a year

NYC Ferry and Billion Oyster Project plan floating classroom for 10,000 students a year

Built World New York, NY local

Partnership will use off-peak ferry vessels for 90-minute harbor science lessons starting in September 2027.

Today: New York YIMBY publishes report on Floating Classroom

Overview

Updated 44 minutes ago

More than one million public school students live within a few miles of New York Harbor. Most have never been on it.

On Nov. 9, the city announced a partnership to change that. The Floating Classroom will use NYC Ferry vessels during off-peak weekday hours for 90-minute science voyages carrying up to 300 students and teachers. It aims to reach 10,000 students a year starting in September 2027.

Why it matters

If it works, the harbor becomes a regular science classroom for thousands of students who otherwise couldn't afford a boat trip.

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Key Indicators

10,000
Students targeted annually
The program aims to bring more than 10,000 public school students onto the harbor each year.
90 minutes
Length of each voyage
Each Floating Classroom trip is designed as a 90-minute curriculum-aligned experience.
300
Students and teachers per voyage
Up to two daily voyages can each carry about 300 students and teachers.
1.1 million
Public school students in New York City
The program is designed to reach students across a school system of more than 1.1 million.
66,000
Students reached by Billion Oyster Project
The nonprofit has brought harbor-focused curriculum to more than 66,000 students over a decade.
50+
Harbor School graduates at NYC Ferry
More than 50 graduates of the New York Harbor School work at NYC Ferry as captains and deckhands.

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People Involved

AF
Ann Fraioli
Director of Education, Billion Oyster Project
Active
JP
Jeanny Pak
Chief Operating Officer, New York City Economic Development Corporation
Active
TO
Timothy O’Brien
Senior Vice President of Ferries and Concessions, Hornblower Group
Active
SC
Stefano Chiampo
Environmental Educator, Billion Oyster Project
Training to lead Floating Classroom voyages

Organizations Involved

Billion Oyster Project
Billion Oyster Project
Nonprofit
Marine Restoration and Education Partner of NYC Ferry

Nonprofit that combines oyster restoration with harbor-based education.
FE
NYC Ferry
Public ferry system
Will host Floating Classroom voyages

Citywide ferry network that will repurpose off-peak vessels for science lessons.
NY
New York City Economic Development Corporation
City economic development agency
Partner in Floating Classroom

City economic development arm that helped assemble the Floating Classroom partnership.
Hornblower Group
Hornblower Group
Ferry and concessions operator
Operator of NYC Ferry and partner in Floating Classroom

Operator of NYC Ferry and partner in the Floating Classroom.
UA
Urban Assembly New York Harbor School
Public high school
Partner pipeline for maritime careers

Maritime-focused public high school that trains students for harbor careers.

Timeline

2 events Latest: Today

  1. New York YIMBY publishes report on Floating Classroom

    Today Report

    Report details the partnership to turn NYC Ferry vessels into floating classrooms for 10,000 students annually.

  2. Partners unveil Floating Classroom at DUMBO Ferry Dock

    Announcement

    Billion Oyster Project, NYCEDC, NYC Ferry and Hornblower announce a program for up to 10,000 students a year.

Scenarios

1

Floating Classroom launches on schedule in September 2027

Likely Resolves by Q3 2027

Discussed by: NYC Economic Development Corporation and Billion Oyster Project

The partnership has said the program will start next September. If vessel scheduling, curriculum training and school booking fall into place, the first student voyages will run during the 2027–28 school year.

2

Program reaches 10,000 students in its first full year

Possible Resolves by Q2 2028

Discussed by: Billion Oyster Project and NYCEDC

The program’s stated goal is more than 10,000 students a year. Hitting that number in the first full school year would require schools across the city to book the available off-peak voyages and fill each 300-person trip.

3

Floating Classroom expands beyond off-peak weekday service

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: NYCEDC and NYC Ferry

If the first year runs smoothly, the partners could add routes, weekend trips or more daily voyages. That would mark a larger shift in how the ferry system uses its vessels outside commute hours.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2014–present

Billion Oyster Project (2014–present)

Billion Oyster Project began as a harbor restoration and education effort, installing oyster reefs and training teachers. By 2026 it had reached more than 66,000 students and 1,793 teachers across 109 partner schools.

Then

It built a curriculum around New York Harbor and oyster ecology.

Now

The project became a citywide education partner, setting up the Floating Classroom.

Why this matters now

The new program takes its shore-based model onto the water at a much larger scale.

2003–present

New York Harbor School (2003–present)

The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School opened in 2003 as a maritime-focused public high school. It later moved to Governors Island and built a Vessel Operations program that trains students on ferries and harbor vessels.

Then

Graduates began working in the harbor.

Now

More than 50 graduates now work at NYC Ferry as captains and deckhands.

Why this matters now

The Floating Classroom aims to introduce younger students to the same harbor careers.

Sources

(4)
New York YIMBY New York Post Oceanographic Magazine Billion Oyster Project