New York Consolidated Laws, Navigation Law - NAV § 115. Ferries and ferry terminal

In the event that a village is disconnected geographically by water from the mainland of the state and which is not connected by any bridge or viaduct wholly or partly within its corporate limits with such mainland, the board of trustees of a village may acquire, by purchase, lease, charter, new construction or otherwise, and provide, maintain and operate a ferry or ferries, together with the necessary boats and terminals therefor, for the transportation of passengers, express matter and freight between said village and the adjacent mainland of the state, during the whole or such portion or portions of the year, and may charge such rates therefor, as it may deem advisable, and each such village shall have the right to spend money for said purposes or any of them.  Before operating any ferry or ferries, the village shall obtain such license or permission from the branch or branches of the United States government having jurisdiction over the navigable waters in which such ferry or ferries shall operate, as may be necessary or required, but notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall not be necessary for any such village to obtain license or other permission for the operation of such ferry or ferries from any other body politic or court of the state of New York.  For the purpose of this subdivision the mainland of Long Island shall be considered part of the mainland of the state of New York.

The provisions of this section shall be controlling notwithstanding any contrary provisions of law.