Mayport Ferry

The Saint Johns River Ferry, also known as the Mayport Ferry, is an automobile ferry between Mayport and Fort George Island, two areas within Jacksonville, Florida. The voyage crosses the Saint Johns River about inland of the river's mouth and travels in an east-west direction for approximately on State Road A1A. It departs every half-hour.The alternate driving route uses the toll-free Dames Point Bridge on I-295 but is long. The ferry has been operating since 1874.These vessels operated in the ferry fleet: primary: Jean Ribault, built 1996, 40 vehicles, 206 passengers.stand-by: Blackbeard, built 1956, 42 vehicles, 207 passengers.Additional ferries which were in service included the Jean LaFitte which was a 26-car ferry, the Reliance, the Sirus. U.S.Coast Guard documents these vessels; some of the older ferries have been renamed to pass inspection. The history of the ferry dates back to 1874 according to the New York Times and the Library of Congress. 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 insufficient money available in the new budget.