STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Remember back when riding the Staten Island Ferry didnt involve covering your face, constant hand-washing and struggling to maintain a safe social distance from your fellow riders?

Though its only been a handful of months since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic completely upended every aspect of life for Staten Islanders, it feels like years since weve been able to experience one of the citys most simple pleasures -- a cool, relaxing ride on the Staten Island Ferry.

While the ferry has continued to operate amid the ongoing pandemic, the new experience has been surreal for many longtime riders.

Passengers who once stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the ferry terminals and loading areas now struggle to maintain six feet between them and their closest peers.

Rows of seats that were once filled to capacity are now scarcely populated, with markings in place to limit available seating and maintain safe social distances.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***

Restrooms aboard the boats remain closed, Statue of Liberty-seeking tourists are nowhere to be found and the familiar tradition of drinking ferry beers on the way into the city for a night out has fallen by the wayside.

With that in mind, the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com has decided to share some of our vintage photos of the Staten Island Ferry from a simpler time. Though some of these photos are decades old, the experiences captured in many feel far more normal than anything Staten Island Ferry riders have experienced since mid-March.

Rush hour commuters at St. George Ferry Terminal in 1991.Staten Island Advance

Staten Island Ferry passes the Statue of Liberty in 1992.Staten Island Advance

Wedding onboard the Staten Island Ferry in 1976.Staten Island Advance

Commuters on a ferry in 1990.Staten Island Advance

Police Officer Lenny Narducci, part of the city's new ferry patrol, makes his rounds on the American Legion's trip from Manhattan to Staten Island in 1984.Staten Island Advance

Food counter at Ferry Terminal in 1970.Staten Island Advance

Commuters battle the wind-driven snow to get an early ferry home from Manhattan in 1982.Staten Island Advance

Commuters enter the ferry terminal after leaving their St. George-bound SIRT train in 1983.Staten Island Advance

Commuters boarding a ferry in 1979.Staten Island Advance

Commuters stand shoulder-to-shoulder aboard a packed boat in 1982.Staten Island Advance

Commuters wait as boat pulls into dock in 1972.Staten Island Advance

The Charles Moulton dance troupe performs on the Staten Island Ferry in 1985.Staten Island Advance

St. George-bound passengers on the Staten Island ferry watch Holly Fairbank & Dancers in 1986.Staten Island Advance

Ferry boat Merrell loading up at St. George terminal in 1965.Staten Island Advance

Staten Island Chamber Music Players Brass Quartet plays on Staten Island Ferry in 1987.Staten Island Advance

Commuters at the snack bar on the maiden voyage of the Andrew Barberi in 1981.Staten Island Advance

Commuters en route to the Staten Island Rapid Transit trains in 1968.Staten Island Advance

Children from across the Island were treated to a special cruise on the ferryboat Merrell in 1982.Staten Island Advance

Transportation Department Deputy Commissioner J. David Love, left, hands out commemorative cards indicating that these special commuters are passengers on the maiden voyage of the Andrew Barberi in 1981.Staten Island Advance

Commuters aboard the newest and largest ferry, the Andrew J. Barberi, catch up with the news on their way home from work in 1982.Staten Island Advance

The Governor Herbert H. Lehman Ferryboat loaded with commuters in 1991.Staten Island Advance

Upwardly mobile Staten Islanders trudge the stairs between the idled escalators at the Whitehall ferry terminal in 1988.Staten Island Advance

The USS Ricketts, a guided missile destroyer, dominates the view from the Staten Island ferry American Legion in 1980.Staten Island Advance

The rest is here:

Vintage Staten Island Ferry photos: Packed boats and passengers without masks - SILive.com