Rotary Club of Gulf Breeze, Florida
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 Ferry Service to Santa Rosa Island

6/8/2015

 
Dan Brown, superintendent of the Gulf Island National Park, gave an update on the ferry project that is partially funded through BP restoration funds.  Alternative transportation studies concluded that a ferry service would be economically viable and had strong local support.  The ferry will also be able to support itself. 

2004 – 2005 hurricane season led to Gulf Island receiving 2.8 million to build a new ferry pier.  Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010 resulted in 4 million in NRDA funding for ferry boats

 Ferry service route and schedule -  
  • Mid-March – October
  • Daily during peak season, weekends in slower seasons
  • 35-45 minute trips each leg
  • 2 boats, clockwise and counterclockwise routes
  • Minimum 6 departures and 5 arrivals each destination
  • Scheduling flexibility to best serve customers
  • Boats berthed overnight in Pensacola

Operator Provides
  • Ferry operation
  • Food Service (on boat and at Ft Pickens)
  • Retail and rental at Ft Pickens (bikes, beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, paddle boards, water toys)
  • Operation of Ft Pickens shuttle service
  • Optional ferry  excursions with the 3red boat (sunset cruises, firework cruises, dinner cruises, dolphin cruises)

Ft Pickens shuttle service
  • Connect ferry to beaches, historic sites and campgrounds
  • Solar powered electric trams
  • Service integrated with the ferry schedule

Ft Pickens arrival and departure area
  • Existing new ferry pier and shade shelter
  • Adaptive reuse of historic structures for ticket sales, concessions and exhibits
  • New restrooms, picnic shelter, bike storage and rental

Development cost at Pensacola Departure Site
  • Landside – Site                                                $222,000
  • Landside – ticketing/building                        $589,000
  • Waterside                                                        $896,000
  • Design and Permitting                                   $190,000
  • Total                                                              $1,897,000

  Pensacola Beach departure site – Escambia County submitting FLAP grant application March 2015
  • Ferry slip extension
  • Widen existing dock
  • Handicap accessibility
  • Shaded seating area
  • Ticket kiosk

Financial Modeling – Projected financial viability for concession contract
  • 60,000 passengers (range 36,000 – 95,000)
  • Ticketing range: $15/adults, $10 to $12
  • Revenue sources: Ticket fares, sales and rentals

Schedule
  • BP/NRDA Settlement Funding                                       Dec 2014
  • Memorandums of Agreement – City and SRIA            Summer 2015
  • Ferry Design/Build Contract Award                               Sept 2015
  • Ferry/Landside Concession Contract                             Nov 2016
  • Departure sites construction completed                       Dec 2016
  • Ferry Vessel and Shuttle Vehicle Delivery                      Jan 2017
  • Transportation Start up                                                   March 2017

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