The return of Tampa Bay's CrossBay Ferry was supposed to see the vessel shuttle passengers between St. Petersburg's Vinoy Marina and the Tampa Convention Center, but there could be a slight change of plans.
The TBBJ says that the ferry's operator — HMS Ferries Inc. — is seeking to use a portion of a Port Tampa Bay berth (us landlubbers call that a place to dock) behind the Florida Aquarium as a place to moor the ferry dubbed Bay Spirit II.
SERVICE, MAN
Tampa's Cross-Bay Ferry may connect to MacDill Air Force Base
The docking spot is also right next to the World War II and Korean war Victory ship already docked behind the aquarium and about a five-minute walk away away from the Tampa Convention Center, which is undergoing renovations that won't be ready by the time the CrossBay Ferry begins service next month (service for the ferry ends on April 30, 2019).
The Port Tampa Bay Authority is expected to approve a license agreement with HMS Ferries on October 16, according to port documents examined by TBBJ which added that "the port may waive the applicable dockage, wharfage and other fees for this temporary use of the premises during the six-month term."
