NEW YORK — Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday announced full 24/7 service on the Staten Island Ferry will return this summer.

According to the mayor, the service will begin on August 16, allowing riders the chance to travel between Staten Island and Manhattan every 30 minutes.

Currently, the ferries only run hourly overnight.

"The Staten Island Ferry is a lifeline for Staten Islanders, it is the way for people to connect to so many things. It is crucial that service be there for Staten Islanders," de Blasio said, also noting it's also a big draw for tourists.

The city reduced ferry service to once an hour last March when ridership dropped as the pandemic hit.

The ferry announcement Tuesday comes as the city confirms it has achieved more than nine million COVID-19 vaccinations to date.