Anna Maria Temporary Ferry Landing Removed Due to Limited Use and Weather Challenges
The temporary ferry landing, installed near the hurricane-damaged Anna Maria City Pier in late October and expanded in December, is being dismantled. Harsh weather conditions, including cold temperatures, strong winds, waves, and currents, prevented the landing from effectively functioning as a ferry stop for the Gulf Islands Ferry service.
On January 15, crews from Barnett Southern began removing the wooden walkway connecting the spud barges, which was intended as a temporary solution for ferry operations. Plans to use the landing were halted, as the structure proved unsuitable for sustained use.
Ferry service to and from Anna Maria has been suspended until repairs to the City Pier are completed or a permanent landing is constructed near the pier and the Lake La Vista jetty. However, service between downtown Bradenton and the Bradenton Beach Pier remains operational.
The state of Florida covered the costs of installing the barges as part of hurricane recovery efforts and is funding their removal. Leasing the third-party-owned barges, which would have cost $500,000 per month, was declined by the county. Meanwhile, an engineering firm continues to explore the feasibility of building a permanent ferry landing between the pier and the jetty.