Scuttled: JTA says St. Johns River Ferry won’t return for about two months

The St. Johns River Ferry Service at Mayport. Image via JTA.

The St. Johns River Ferry mishap that led to the service being shut down for repairs for a few days has now extended into a closure that will stretch into Summer.

The ferry vessel service, which extends State Road A1A in North Florida, ran into a boarding ramp Sunday and was shut down immediately.

After inspections and a review of the vessel and operations, officials with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) said the service will be out of commission for an extended period.

“While the ferry vessel itself remains fully operable, recent assessments have identified the need for significant repairs to the ramp structure,” a JTA press release said Thursday. “Based on current estimates, these repairs are expected to take approximately six to twelve weeks to complete, depending on materials availability and supply chain factors.”

The ferry service is a key component of A1A in North Florida. The vessels transport vehicles and passengers back and forth between the Mayport Village area on the south of the river and the northern slip, which empties onto Fort George Island’s Heckscher Drive in Jacksonville, continuing along the coastline into Nassau County. The service knocks off about a half-hour of road travel for motorists.

JTA officials acknowledged the key transportation element the ferry provides to commuters in North Florida and asked residents to stay put while repairs are conducted.

“We recognize the vital role the St. Johns River Ferry plays in our community and appreciate the public’s patience as we work diligently to safely and efficiently restore service,” the press release said.

JTA officials say the agency is working with HMS Ferries, the city’s operational partner, as investigations into the original accident continue. First, an investigation needs to be completed, and then JTA officials say they’ll publish all findings related to the incident.

The ferry slips are barely a mile from the Atlantic Ocean and the St. Johns River jetties at the mouth of the waterway. The next closest river crossing is about 5 miles west at the Dames Point Bridge, a central cable span part of Interstate 295, completing a beltway around Jacksonville. But going that route and opting out of the ferry crossing adds at least 30 minutes of road time for any motorists navigating the First Coast on A1A.

JTA officials began steps in September to reduce the service’s future shutdowns. The ferry service was awarded a $15.6 million federal grant to buy a second vessel, but that boat has not been purchased yet.

According to the JTA, the ferry service is estimated to transport at least 400,000 passengers annually.