Mayport Ferry
Encyclopedia
The Saint Johns River Ferry, also known as the Mayport Ferry, is an auto ferry
between Mayport and Fort George Island, two areas within Jacksonville, Florida
. The 0.9 mile voyage crosses the Saint Johns River about 2.5 miles inland of the river's mouth and travels in an east-west direction for approximately 2000 feet on Florida State Road A1A
. It departs every half hour.
The alternate driving route uses the toll-free Dames Point Bridge but is 28 miles long. The ferry has been operating since 1948 and is the last active ferry in Florida.
Two vessels operated in the ferry fleet:
The Florida Department of Transportation
, which had always operated the service, had the Mayport Ferry line item budget vetoed by Governor Charlie Crist
for 2007-2008.
The City of Jacksonville had been contributing $200,000-300,000 for several years, so instead of allowing the service to end, the City of Jacksonville assumed full responsibility. However, they lost over $1 million in one year, and Mayor John Peyton
announced that there was no money available in the new budget.
The Jacksonville Port Authority
took over operation of the ferry for 2007 and lost half a million dollars each year, but uses port revenue, not tax money, to underwrite the operation.
After taking over, the JPA decided to cut costs and sell the Blackbeard, the backup vessel built in 1956. That meant that whenever the Jean Ribault had problems, ferry service would be suspended. On February 5, 2009 the ferry was put into dry dock for routine maintenance, but hull corrosion required an extra week of repairs, and there was no service for a month.
Memorial stands on the ferry grounds on the Mayport side. The Memorial was erected on September 14, 1999.
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
between Mayport and Fort George Island, two areas within Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. The 0.9 mile voyage crosses the Saint Johns River about 2.5 miles inland of the river's mouth and travels in an east-west direction for approximately 2000 feet on Florida State Road A1A
Florida State Road A1A
State Road A1A is a Florida State Road that runs mostly along the Atlantic Ocean, with sections from Key West at the southern tip of Florida, to Callahan, just south of Georgia. It is the main road through most oceanfront towns. SR A1A is designated the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway, a...
. It departs every half hour.
The alternate driving route uses the toll-free Dames Point Bridge but is 28 miles long. The ferry has been operating since 1948 and is the last active ferry in Florida.
Two vessels operated in the ferry fleet:
- primary: Jean Ribault, built 1996, 40 vehicles, 206 passengers.
- stand-by: Blackbeard, built 1956, 42 vehicles, 207 passengers.
The Florida Department of Transportation
Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation is a decentralized agency charged with the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of public transportation in the state of Florida. The department was formed in 1969. It absorbed the powers of the Florida State Road Department...
, which had always operated the service, had the Mayport Ferry line item budget vetoed by Governor Charlie Crist
Charlie Crist
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. is an American politician who was the 44th Governor of Florida. Prior to his election as governor, Crist previously served as Florida State Senator, Education Commissioner, and Attorney General...
for 2007-2008.
The City of Jacksonville had been contributing $200,000-300,000 for several years, so instead of allowing the service to end, the City of Jacksonville assumed full responsibility. However, they lost over $1 million in one year, and Mayor John Peyton
John Peyton
John Peyton may refer to:*John Peyton, Baron Peyton of Yeovil, , British politician who served as Minister for Transport*John Peyton John Peyton may refer to:*John Peyton, Baron Peyton of Yeovil, (1919–2006), British politician who served as Minister for Transport*John Peyton John Peyton may refer...
announced that there was no money available in the new budget.
The Jacksonville Port Authority
Jacksonville Port Authority
The Jacksonville Port Authority also known by its brand name, JAXPORT, is the independent government agency in Jacksonville, Florida that owns and operates much of the seaport system at the Port of Jacksonville.-History:...
took over operation of the ferry for 2007 and lost half a million dollars each year, but uses port revenue, not tax money, to underwrite the operation.
After taking over, the JPA decided to cut costs and sell the Blackbeard, the backup vessel built in 1956. That meant that whenever the Jean Ribault had problems, ferry service would be suspended. On February 5, 2009 the ferry was put into dry dock for routine maintenance, but hull corrosion required an extra week of repairs, and there was no service for a month.
Memorial
The United States Merchant MarineUnited States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
Memorial stands on the ferry grounds on the Mayport side. The Memorial was erected on September 14, 1999.