N.Y. NAV Law § 115

§ 115. Ferries and ferry terminal. In the event that a village is\ndisconnected geographically by water from the mainland of the state and\nwhich is not connected by any bridge or viaduct wholly or partly within\nits corporate limits with such mainland, the board of trustees of a\nvillage may acquire, by purchase, lease, charter, new construction or\notherwise, and provide, maintain and operate a ferry or ferries,\ntogether with the necessary boats and terminals therefor, for the\ntransportation of passengers, express matter and freight between said\nvillage and the adjacent mainland of the state, during the whole or such\nportion or portions of the year, and may charge such rates therefor, as\nit may deem advisable, and each such village shall have the right to\nspend money for said purposes or any of them. Before operating any ferry\nor ferries, the village shall obtain such license or permission from the\nbranch or branches of the United States government having jurisdiction\nover the navigable waters in which such ferry or ferries shall operate,\nas may be necessary or required, but notwithstanding any other provision\nof law, it shall not be necessary for any such village to obtain license\nor other permission for the operation of such ferry or ferries from any\nother body politic or court of the state of New York. For the purpose of\nthis subdivision the mainland of Long Island shall be considered part of\nthe mainland of the state of New York.\n The provisions of this section shall be controlling notwithstanding\nany contrary provisions of law.\n