TheSaint Johns River Ferry, also known as theMayport Ferry, is an automobileferry betweenMayport andFort George Island, two areas withinJacksonville, Florida. The 0.9 miles (1.4 km) voyage crosses theSaint Johns River about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) inland of the river's mouth and travels in an east-west direction for approximately 2,000 feet (610 m) onState Road A1A. It departs every half-hour.
The alternate driving route uses the toll-freeDames Point Bridge onI-295 but is 28 miles (45 km) long. The ferry has been operating since 1874.[1][2]
These vessels operated in the ferry fleet:
Additional ferries which were in service included theJean LaFitte which was a 26-car ferry, theReliance, theSirus. 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 theNew York Times and the Library of Congress.TheFlorida Department of Transportation, which had always operated the service, had the Mayport Ferry line item budget vetoed by GovernorCharlie Crist for 2007-2008.[3]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 MayorJohn Peyton announced that there was insufficient money available in the new budget.
TheJacksonville Port Authority took over operation of the ferry for 2007 and lost $500,000 each year, but uses port revenue, not tax money, to underwrite the operation.[4]After taking over, the JPA decided to cut costs and sell theBlackbeard, the backup vessel built in 1956. That meant that whenever theJean Ribault had problems, ferry service would be suspended. On February 5, 2009 the ferry was put into dry dock forroutine maintenance, but hull corrosion required an extra week of repairs, and there was no service for a month.[5]
On March 31, 2016, theJacksonville Transportation Authority took over permanent ownership and operation of the ferry.
The ferry helps connect segments of theEast Coast Greenway, a 3000 mile long system of trails connecting Maine to Florida.
On May 4, 2025, the Jean Ribault collided with a boarding ramp on theSt. Johns River while departing from Mayport. No injuries were reported but the ferry was taken out of service.[6]
TheUnited States Merchant Marine Memorial stands on the ferry grounds on the Mayport side. The Memorial was erected on September 14, 1999.
30°23′44″N81°26′00″W / 30.395504°N 81.433341°W /30.395504; -81.433341
Crossings of theSt. Johns River | ||||
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