First PSTA Ferry Arrives in Pinellas as Tampa Bay Service Moves Closer to Launch

The first of two vessels offering a cross-bay ferry service between St. Petersburg and Tampa has arrived in Pinellas County, PSTA said.

By Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff

Aug 18, 2026 9:43 AM EDT

The first of two vessels offering a cross-bay ferry service between St. Petersburg and Tampa has arrived in Pinellas County, PSTA said. (Courtesy of PSTA)

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — The first of two vessels that will eventually carry passengers between downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa has arrived in Pinellas County, bringing the region's long-discussed cross-bay ferry service one step closer to reality, PSTA said in a news release.

The Bay Breeze arrived Monday at Tarpon Marine Service in Tarpon Springs, where it will undergo refurbishment and inspections before entering passenger service.

A second vessel, the Bay Clipper, is expected in the coming weeks, and will undergo similar work after it arrives.

The vessels are expected to take several months to refurbish and inspect, with PSTA officials anticipating the ferry service will begin later this year.

"Having the Bay Breeze arrive here in Pinellas County is a major milestone and brings us one step closer to launching a reliable, sustainable, and long-term ferry service across the Bay," PSTA CEO Brad Miller said in a statement.

Both vessels will be refurbished locally by Tarpon Marine Service, a company founded in 2010 that operates the largest hydraulic lift on Florida's west coast, according to PSTA.

The local work is expected to benefit other maritime businesses in the region, Justin Russell, chief operating officer of Tarpon Marine Service, said.

"This project will be a major boost to not only Tarpon Marine Services, but many other local specialty maritime small businesses," he said in a statement.

The arrival also gives Tarpon Springs a role in a project intended to create a new transportation connection between Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

City Commissioner Lori Weaver, who also serves on the PSTA board, said the project will bring business to Tarpon Springs during the refurbishment process and after the ferry service begins.

"Bringing the vessels here, locally, means so much to not only the city of Tarpon Springs, but also to the families and businesses of Pinellas County and our region as a whole," Weaver said.

Hubbard's Ferry facilitated the purchase of the vessels and will operate the service once it begins. The company has worked with PSTA on bringing the vessels to the region.

Tara Hubbard, CEO of Hubbard's Ferry, said the arrival of the Bay Breeze represents the result of a regional effort involving PSTA, business organizations and the company.

The ferry project has also received support from the St. Pete Area Chamber of Commerce and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

The purchase and refurbishment of both vessels is being funded through a $4.8 million Federal Transit Administration grant.

Once operational, the ferry is expected to provide another transportation option between downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa, connecting the two sides of Tampa Bay by water.