MD Counties Propose Bay Passenger Ferry Network

Bay Journal, Maryland counties push Bay passenger ferry. Will funding follow?

A new Chesapeake Bay passenger ferry service could attract tens of thousands of users in its first year, but it would run in the red while doing so, according to a study backed by a coalition of coastal Maryland counties.

The 114-page study, released Aug. 15, suggests that 50,000 passengers would take rides in its first season, operating over 26 weeks from mid-April to mid-October. That’s based on boats traveling along six proposed routes between the Bay’s Western and Eastern shores.

Under that scenario, the system is expected to generate $2.5 million in revenue during that season, according to study author Cambridge Systematics, a Massachusetts-based transportation consultant. But the expenses would add up to $5 million from paying off the vessels, operating the system, maintenance and other costs.

The proposal’s backers say the study underscores the need to develop a viable transportation alternative for crossing the Maryland portion of the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, part of U.S. Routes 50/301, is the lone highway connection between the two shores, spanning the water between Kent Island and Annapolis.

“We are optimistic about the study results and the path forward, which could better connect our Chesapeake Bay destinations and create economic impact across the entire state,” said Kristen Pironis, executive director of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, one of the counties supporting the effort. The others are Calvert, Queen Anne’s, Somerset and St. Mary’s.

What? No stop at Smith Island? How are you supposed to get a famous Smith Island cake? 

The system could expand to 21 stations in the future, according to the proposal.

The report envisions using a fleet of two 149-passenger catamarans and five 49-passenger catamarans, powered by diesel or diesel-electric hybrid engines. The service likely wouldn’t be feasible for commuters, though some may take advantage of it in Baltimore and Annapolis, the authors say in the report. It would be open only to passengers and not their vehicles.

The focus is on recreation and tourism, advocates say. By enhancing water-based transportation, the service would boost economic growth, the report argues. The service would be expected to support 143 jobs and $14.5 million in economic effects.

The average roundtrip fare would be $50, the study put forward.
. . .
The last ferry operation in Maryland that transported vehicles across the Bay closed in 1952 with the opening of the first Bay Bridge span.

Sounds like fun, if the schedule is such that you could go from Solomons to Cambridge, St. Mary's City or Crisfield and home in a day.   

Would You Ride a Bay Ferry?

I think it would be kind of fun, especially if it was a car ferry. Balmer Sun, Anne Arundel County, Visit Annapolis seek proposal to bring ferries back to the Chesapeake Bay

The Anne Arundel County and its visitors bureau, along with other waterfront jurisdictions and nonprofits, are exploring the possibility of reestablishing a ferry system across the Chesapeake Bay.

As tourism begins to reemerge following nearly three years of pandemic restrictions, a consortium that , includes Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County and governments from Calvert, St. Mary’s, Somerset and Queen Anne’s counties is hoping a network of ferries would boost tourism, support local economies and allow residents and visitors to better familiarize themselves with the state and its history, said Kristen Pironis, executive director of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County.

In the first step of what could be a yearslong process, the consortium is seeking contractors to submit proposals for feasibility studies by Feb. 15. The studies will examine the potential costs and benefits of a ferry system, possible docking locations, boat sizes and other considerations, according to the request released last week.

“The Bay has served as a transportation and trade highway and byway for as long as the historic and prehistoric record can be documented,” the request for proposals states. “The ferry system connected communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay region through a wide-ranging network of routes. Ferries were the only access to either side of the bay in Maryland until the construction of the [Bay Bridge].”

The potential destinations for a proposed ferry stretch the length of the Chesapeake Bay, from Annapolis and Galesville in Anne Arundel County; Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County; St. Mary’s City and Leonardtown in St. Mary’s County; several Eastern Shore stops, including Crisfield, Chestertown, Easton and Cambridge; and north to Baltimore, Havre de Grace and Chesapeake City.

The request for proposals establishes a six-month timeline for the winning bidder to submit a written report and present its findings.

I think it would be fun to drive to Chesapeake Beach, drive onto a ferry and take the car to Crisfield or Easton. A ferry for foot traffic only would be of less interest to me. The ferry system in Puget Sound seems like a pretty good model.

Sounds Like a Good Idea

Chesapeake Bay Mag, 16 Md. Counties Support Possible “Bayways Crossing Ferry”, Feasibility Study Underway

It’s an idea that could ease traffic and boost tourism at the same time: a network of 40-50-passenger ferries making stops at different Bay ports. Right now it’s just a concept, but it’s gaining traction with grant money for a study and support from several waterfront towns.

Chesapeake Beach, Md. is seeking public comment on the idea, and leaders support it unanimously.

Every Chesapeake Beach Town Council member is sending Mayor Pat Mahoney a big “yes” for the town to participate in the Bayways Crossing Ferry project, as it’s being called. Hilary Dailey, Tourism Program Specialist for Calvert County’s Department of Economic Development took questions from the council about including Chesapeake Beach in the proposed plan.

Their response was universal. “I love this idea,” said council member Greg Morris. Very exciting,” said member Margaret Peggy Hartman. Public comment also showed enthusiasm for the idea.

Once completed, a ferry carrying 40-50 passengers would stop at Chesapeake Beach after crossing the bay from Somerset County, from Annapolis or other waterfront towns. There’s discussion underway to include Smith and Tangier Island as well.

Upon arrival, passengers could visit restaurants, stay overnight in hotels, and visit local shops. Council members expressed interest to include North Beach in the proposal in the Chesapeake Beach stop. There was agreement, too, for multiple arrival and departure times instead of just once a day. Maintaining the required 6-foot channel depth for this type of boat is also a concern.

Dailey says 16 Maryland counties have expressed interest in the plan. Besides Chesapeake Beach and North Beach, the state is also considering Solomons Island as a potential Calvert County location. As of now, a grant has been submitted to study the feasibility of the idea. A second grant, which is due August 20, focuses on potential locations. Local governments will submit access points, infrastructure needs, and a list of activities visitors could enjoy.

Don’t expect to see tour boats appearing anytime soon though. Dailey tells Bay Bulletin, “the only timeline right now, since the whole project is hypothetical at this point, is the grant application.”

It would be fun to take a ferry ride from Solomons to Smith Island to buy a cake.  

More at Southern Maryland News, The long voyage--Bay crossing project seeks funds.

Legal Dispute Closes White's Ferry

 White’s Ferry river crossing in Montgomery Co. ceases operations after court decision

The resolution of a decade’s-long court case brought by a Virginia property owner required White’s Ferry, the historic Potomac River crossing in Poolesville, Maryland, to stop using its traditional landing across the river.

As a result, the ferry operator announced its closure via a Facebook post at 10 a.m., December 28, 2020.

For over two centuries, the ferry has docked on the Virginia side of the river.

A Virginia court ruled the ferry could no longer dock on the opposite shore at White’s Ferry Road in Loudoun County.

Loudoun County released a statement on Monday afternoon noting that the dispute is between two private parties, and that the land owners and ferry company are working on a resolution.

 

In fact, the judge, Stephen E. Sincavage of the Loudoun County Circuit Court awarded damages to the Virginia property owners in excess of $100,000, agreed that White’s Ferry had been trespassing since the end of a licensing agreement in 2004 and through an injunction, prevented White’s Ferry from continuing to use the land. The decision was written in late November.

The ferry operator has been in court with Rockland Farm, LLC for over a decade, according to Loudoun Circuit Court filings, in the case of Rockland Farm, LLC, et al. v. White’s Ferry, Inc.

The owners of the land in Virginia, known as Rockland, complained that White’s Ferry was unlawfully occupying its land. White’s Ferry argued for its right to use the landing due to having customers and business operations on that side of the river for over two centuries.

The case has been postponed and delayed and dismissed throughout the years before the most recent decision, written by Judge Steven E. Sincavage on Nov. 23, 2020.

The judge found that the ferry operators have been trespassing on the Virginia land since a licensing agreement ended in 2004. The judge considered a number of arguments about the right to public use of the land in Virginia, going back to a case in 1871.

Sincavage ultimately decided that the ferry operators would likely continue using the land in Virginia without an injunction, and granted that injunction to stop the docking.

In addition, the judge awarded financial damages to Rockland because of what the owners called property damage along with the unauthorized use of the Virginia property, totaling just over $100,000 plus interest.

I rode this ferry once, back in the late 80s, after we first moved to Maryland, on a visit with my aunt and uncle, who live up in Germantown MD, not far from the ferry. It was kind a cool thing to find out in the countryside, not terribly far from the nations capital. From the photos with the story, it hasn't changed much from then.

I think this is kind of a shame, and I hope they find some way to work it out.