On a recent Sunday afternoon, boaters anchored off Long Island’s South Shore noticed a small vessel approaching. Instead of bait or beverages, the Gillen family offered homemade ice cream from a blue-and-white cooler. The family has lived on the water for decades, fishing and boating most weekends. This summer, they’ve begun selling their ice cream directly to other boaters, cruising between Jones Beach and Fire Island.
The operation is informal. Each morning, family members churn batches of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry in their home kitchen. By noon, the boat is packed with coolers and a hand-written menu. Prices are straightforward: $4 for a cup, cash or Venmo. On busy Saturdays, they can sell out by mid-afternoon.
The Gillens say the idea came from their own children asking for treats while swimming. "There’s no place to buy ice cream out here," said Matt Gillen, the family patriarch. "We figured, why not bring it ourselves?" Their boat, marked by an ice cream flag, now draws regulars who radio in orders or wave from the water.
Marine units from the Suffolk County Police have stopped to check permits but, according to the family, have not raised objections. The Department of Health has not commented on regulations for food sales at sea. For now, the Gillens plan to keep going through Labor Day, weather permitting.