Manatee County expects delivery of a third ferry boat, a larger vessel than the two pontoon catamarans in operation, in July.
Meanwhile, work continues to identify new landing spots for the passenger ferry service — landings for the large, enclosed boat that will operate from Bradenton and for the two smaller boats that will serve as “hoppers.”
The county tourist development council, meeting April 21 at the administration building in Bradenton, received updates on the service that runs Thursday-Sunday — plus peak holidays — from downtown Bradenton to the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach:
- Elliott Falcione, the executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau who has steered the project since its concept, focused on goals — getting an enclosed boat on the water and increasing landings.
“We need to get the hopper service going up and down that 7-mile island for people that are staying out there,” he said. “Get them out of their cars … and onto that water. That is vital.”
- Operator Trisha Rodriguez of Gulf Coast Water Taxi briefed the council on ridership.
“Since it began in January of last year, to date we’ve had 42,612 passengers,” Rodriquez said. “We think that’s a great number considering our share of challenges, which included those hurricanes that affected everyone so much.”
Helene last September and Milton in October impacted ferry operations, especially in Anna Maria, where the walkway to the T-end to the City Pier was destroyed, eliminating one of two landings on AMI.
- County natural resources director Charlie Hunsicker discussed environmental factors for new landings, including concerns for seagrass and shell.
Environmental assessments must be completed and permits secured for any projects, Hunsicker said, noting the new boat will weigh about 30 tons, with a large draft.
“We’re working very hard to find these locations and develop a permit strategy,” he said.
- Sherri Swanson, ecological services division manager for the natural resources department, identified opportunities.
For the Anna Maria landing, which would be operational by August 2027, Swanson said five alternatives exist but the focus currently is on a landing along the northside of the pier and another between the pier and a jetty that would require a new walkway.
“We’re moving into permitting now,” Swanson said. “We need to first solidify which alternative we would like to move forward.”
In Holmes Beach, the county tested a landing at the Waterline Marina in the City Center and encountered difficulties but there also are challenges at the Kingfish Boat Ramp.
At Coquina, the county is looking at a landing either near Leffis Key, one of the boat ramps or on a commercial dock near the island’s end.
The TDC took no action April 21 regarding the ferry service.
The council’s next meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 16, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.