Tampa Bay Ferry Plan Names Tampa Dock, Seeks Two Boats For Daily Service: PSTA

TAMPA, FL — As plans move forward for the future Tampa Bay Ferry between Tampa and St. Petersburg, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority announced on Monday that it hopes to use a two-boat system for the daily service, according to a news release.

The PSTA board is expected to vote on Wednesday morning on the plan to buy and renovate two vessels for the service, using a $4.8 million federal grant.

PSTA also named the Tampa landing point for the ferry — the Tampa Convention Center dock.

The stop would be located at the convention center’s east end, near the bridge to Harbour Island. The dock was previously used by the Cross-Bay Ferry service, which shut down last year.

During major festivals, such as Gasparilla or Special Operations Forces Week, when the dock is inaccessible, the agency will identify an alternative dock location.

The new ferry is intended to provide improved service, lower costs and more long-term stability than the Cross-Bay Ferry, the agency said. That service operated with only one boat, which prevented it from running seven days a week.

“We’re committed to creating this service the right way, so it’s sustainable for the long term,” PSTA CEO Brad Miller said. “That’s why everyone should be impressed by the effort of the Hubbard’s Marina team, working with our staff, to maximize taxpayer dollars and get two boats with this one federal grant.”

The two vessels will be chosen from three options identified in a nationwide search by ferry operator Hubbard’s Marina, PSTA said. Those options are:

• the Bay Breeze in San Francisco, California, with a total purchase and renovation cost of $2.5 million and a renovation timeline of three to six months after purchase,
• the San Juan Clipper in Seattle, Washington, at $2 million with a three- to six-month timeline, and
• the Candy Stripe in Morgan City, Louisiana, at $2.3 million with a 12- to 18-month timeline.

Before the program launches, the selected boats would need full renovations, and will include a bar on board with snacks, kid-friendly drinks, and adult beverages, the agency said.

If the board approves the plan, PSTA and Hubbard’s Marina must still inspect, negotiate, and buy the boats, renovate them, and transport each one to Tampa Bay on a larger vessel.

The service will launch as soon as the vessels are retrofitted, tested and delivered to Tampa Bay, according to the PSTA.