The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s (PSTA) Ferry service between downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa is one step closer to launch, with the first of two vessels arriving at a Pinellas County boatyard today.
The Bay Breeze arrived in Tarpon Springs Monday and now begins refurbishment for passenger service. The second vessel, Bay Clipper, is expected to arrive in Pinellas County in the coming weeks and will undergo refurbishment at the same facility.
“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,” said Brad Miller, CEO of PSTA. “Both the Bay Breeze and Bay Clipper are excellent vessels, and now we can get to work on the Bay Breeze by making it service-ready and doing the same once the Bay Clipper arrives.”
Both vessels will be refurbished locally by Tarpon Marine Service in Tarpon Springs. Founded in 2010, Tarpon Marine Services is home to the largest hydraulic lift on the west coast of Florida.
“Tarpon Marine Service is honored to be awarded the ferry vessel refurbishment project. This project will be a major boost to not only Tarpon Marine Services, but many other local specialty maritime small businesses,” said Justin Russell, Chief Operating Officer of Tarpon Marine Services. “We’re excited to build a relationship with PSTA and Hubbard’s Ferry, while helping shape the newest ferries that will provide great service to the Tampa Bay area for many years to come.”
“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,” said Comm. Lori Weaver, City Commissioner for Tarpon Springs and PSTA Board Member, “The ferry will bring business to our locally owned small businesses during both refurbishment and operation, and we are so excited that Tarpon Springs gets to be part of this historic project.”
The vessel purchase was facilitated by Hubbard’s Ferry, who will operate the service between Downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa once service begins later this year.
“The Bay Breeze’s arrival in Tampa Bay is a milestone built on collaboration: from the incredible efforts of PSTA, to the joint partnership of the St. Pete Area & San Francisco Chamber of Commerce’s steady advocacy, to Capt. Mark Hubbard’s hands-on coordination of the vessel’s cross-country journey,” said Tara Hubbard, CEO of Hubbard’s Ferry. “And now, with Tarpon Marine selected for the refit, this work stays right here in Tampa Bay. A local shipyard landing this project is proof of how much economic momentum this ferry service is already generating for the region, and we couldn’t be more excited to watch it grow.”
The purchase and refurbishment of both vessels is funded by a $4.8 million Federal Transit Administration grant. The refurbishment and inspections are estimated to take several months before ferry service begins later this year.