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Pensacola Bay Ferry Service To Return With New Operator
March 6, 2019
The National Park Service and HMS Ferries, Inc. have signed a 10 year concessions contract for the operation of Pensacola Bay Cruises. HMS will immediately begin preparing for the 2019 season. Service startup date, schedule, prices, and other details will be announced as soon as they are available. Tickets for regular service will be all-day hop-on, hop-off, and discounts may be offered for children, military, seniors, groups, and frequent riders. Park entrance fees are waived for visitors arriving at Fort Pickens via Pensacola Bay Cruises.
“We’re excited to start working with HMS Ferries, Inc. and to see this wonderful opportunity return to Gulf Islands National Seashore this spring,” said Superintendent Dan Brown. The service provides the community and visitors a unique way to experience the exceptional marine resources of Pensacola Bay and provides an attractive transportation option between Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and Fort Pickens. Each leg of the triangular route passes through national seashore waters, which encircle Santa Rosa Island. Pensacola Bay Cruises will operate seasonally during the spring, summer and fall recreation season.
Pensacola Bay Cruises’ 150 passenger boats, named Turtle Runner and Pelican Perch, were built with funds received via a post-Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement reached with BP. The settlement earmarked some funds specifically to compensate the public for the temporary lost use of the national seashore beaches and waters. The settlement earmarked other funds for restoration of the park’s natural resources injured by the spill.
HMS (Hornblower Maritime Services) has over 25 years of experience in the maritime industry, and currently operates boat cruises and ferries at locations across the country including the Mobile Bay and Gees Bend ferries in Alabama, and St. Johns River ferry in Jacksonville, Florida. They bring an experienced and capable team to the operation at Gulf Islands National Seashore and its community partners.
Comments
7 Responses to “Pensacola Bay Ferry Service To Return With New Operator”
Liz, I believe these ferry’s carry only people.
We’re reserved in Fort Pickens. Are trucks towing large trailers allowed on ferry?
We need time to learn how to use the ferries. I stayed away during the heat and tourist season and “missed the boats”.
I’m so glad the ferry service will be running soon.
Excellent choice by NPS. Hornblower is a first class operation and will do a great job for Pensacola.
Glad to hear PBFS will return for 2019, our senior ladies card group enjoyed this cruise last year and was disappointed when it was announce it might be discontinued for 2019. My suggestion would be to point out land marks along the route and advertising not only for Pensacolians but tourist as well.
Will you be able to go back and forth and just cruise around the bay just to enjoy the scenery