BRADENTON BEACH – Gulf Islands Ferry service between downtown Bradenton and the Bradenton Beach Pier resumed on Friday.
The county’s contracted ferry service is currently operating free of charge. Ferry service to the recently installed temporary floating dock in Anna Maria, near the hurricane-damaged City Pier, is expected to resume soon.
Palmetto resident Cathy Brown and Parrish resident Kim Schuerman were the first two passengers to make a post-hurricane trip from Bradenton to Bradenton Beach. Mayor John Chappie and City Attorney Ricinda Perry were on hand to greet them, Capt. Nicholas Francis and mate Terrie Birkett when they arrived.
“I’m so ecstatic to be back at work. I love what I do,” Birkett said.
Brown and Schuerman were on the Island for the first time since back-to-back hurricanes struck in October and November. After disembarking, they spent a few minutes chatting with Police Chief John Cosby, who stood at the top of the ramp that connects with the pier.
“We’re thrilled to see the ferry running again,” Brown told Cosby.
“The restaurants are open and the shops are coming around,” Cosby said. “The ferry will definitely help because we still have all these big trucks driving around. There’s not a lot of parking yet and this area’s very walkable. The ferry’s the best way to come out here right now.”
Cosby noted the Free Island Trolley and the Monkey Bus shuttle service can transport ferry passengers to other destinations Island-wide.
“We’re going to look around and patronize the Island,” Brown said.
“We want to support the restaurants, because that’s the servers’ livelihoods,” Schuerman added.
Ferry service to Anna Maria is expected to resume after modifications are made to the barge to be used as a ferry landing until the City Pier reopens. Francis said he was out there the previous day and the wind and currents made docking challenging as the barge is currently configured.
“They’re going to make some adjustments,” Francis said.
According to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione, the Gulf Islands Ferry service transported 102 passengers during the first weekend of resumed service. As of Monday afternoon, Falcione did not yet know when ferry service would resume in Anna Maria.
For ferry schedules and ticketing information, visit the Gulf Islands Ferry website.
