MANATEE COUNTY – Elected officials, invited guests and media members took a cruise on the Gulf Island Ferries on Monday afternoon.
The county-funded ferries are expected to begin service on Friday, Dec. 8, pending final Coast Guard certification. The covered pontoon boat ferries will initially run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The ferry service will include stops at the Anna Maria City Pier, the public dinghy dock near the Bradenton Beach Pier, the North or South Coquina boat ramp (yet to be decided) and the Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton. The initial fare will be $8 per one-way trip, with discounts provided for seniors, children and toddlers.
The Nov. 20 ferry ceremonies at the Bradenton Riverwalk began with 10th grade Manatee School of the Arts student Marley Holmes singing “God Bless America,” followed by an opening prayer led by Senior Pastor Dirk Rodgers from Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria.
County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge said the ferry service has been desired and discussed for decades and is now becoming a reality. He noted that until the Cortez Bridge was built in the 1920s, ferries and boats were the only mode of transportation to the Island.
“100 years later, we have these two ferries,” he said, before Pastor Rodgers conducted the ancient tradition of the blessing of the fleet.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said that once the initial service is operational, the county will explore grant opportunities in hopes of purchasing an enclosed high-speed ferry that will carry passengers between downtown Bradenton and the Anna Maria City Pier. The two pontoon boats would then be used to ferry passengers between the three Anna Maria Island destinations. And at some point next year, the county hopes to initiate free ferry service for those who work on the Island and live on the mainland.
At approximately 1 p.m., the Miss Anna Maria departed the Riverwalk Day Dock and headed west down the Manatee River, followed by the Downtown Duchess.
The Miss Anna Maria turned around about halfway down the river and the Downtown Duchess continued its 40-minute trip to the City Pier in Anna Maria. The ferry didn’t dock at the existing City Pier landing area that’s still awaiting the attachment of two composite pilings needed for ferry dockage.
During the return trip, Tourist Development Council board member Eric Carnes said, “This is absolutely fantastic. This is a great day for Anna Maria Island and a great day for the city of Bradenton. The visitors and employees that come to the Island on the ferries will have a great experience.”
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said, “We’ve got seaworthy vessels. It was a smooth ride and the captain knows what he’s doing. The seats are comfortable and the ride was enjoyable. It’s a nice relaxing way to get out to our Island, with no traffic.”
As the Downtown Duchess docked, Falcione said, “It was my first time on this river. It was more than just a ferry service. The water is an experience that will help showcase that ‘real authentic Florida’ to our visitors.”
