New London — Cross Sound Ferry announced this week it was adding another layer of safety to ease concerns of ferry passengers during the coronavirus pandemic.

It has installed new air purification systems to the air handlers of all passenger and crew spaces aboard its fleet of vessels traveling between New London and Orient Point, Long Island, N.Y. Cross Sound currently operates as many as five vessels at a time, accounting for up to 18 departures a day from each location. The Phenomenal Aire cold plasma generators were installed on eight vessels in all.

Cross Sound Ferry, in a news statement, said the new systems produce an electric field filled with highly charged ions, acting as a natural scrubbing agent for the air passing through the field, cleaning the air and killing viruses, mold and bacteria.

“The scrubbing process (bipolar ionization) safely disables viruses and other harmful microorganisms. On its website, Phenomenal Aire touts its system’s bipolar ionization technology in disabling the Human Coronavirus (229E) and that similar results are anticipated for COVID-19,” Cross Sound said in the statement.

Cross Sound previously installed Active Dust Free air purification systems in its vessels’ HVAC systems, required the use of masks or face coverings while on the terminal property and while riding aboard all vessels and instituted hands-free ticketing, allowing passengers to remain in their vehicles during the crossing.

It also promotes social distancing on board by marking off seats and booths, and increased the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing the vessels and terminal buildings. It has installed additional hand-sanitizers and sanitizing wipe stations and posted notices of the safety protocols on reservation confirmations, aboard the vessels and through regular announcements during the trip, Cross Sound said in a statement.

“Customer safety is of utmost importance to us while we operate our vital service during these unprecedented times and circumstances. Besides the increased policies and protocols, we have scoured the marketplace in search of these air purification systems to ensure as best we can the air quality aboard the vessels,” John P. Wronowski, president and owner of Cross Sound Ferry, said in a statement.

“We want our customers to feel safe and confident that we are doing all we can to promote their and our crew’s safety while onboard,” Wronowski said.

Cross Sound has continued to operate during the pandemic and experienced a drastic decrease in ridership during the first two months of the pandemic. Ridership has rebounded since then but the company reports it is still significantly lower than at this time last year.

g.smith@theday.com