For Immediate Release

May 6, 2025

Clearwater Ferry to Resume Service May 8

St. Petersburg, FL—The Clearwater Ferry will resume operation between Downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach on Thursday, May 8. The ferry’s operators have proactively reviewed their procedures and vessels, the U.S. Coast Guard has performed safety inspections of the vessels, and the service is ready to resume operation.

The Clearwater Ferry team and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) continue to be heartbroken for the people involved in the collision on April 27, including Jose Castro, who lost his life, the people who were hurt, and their families. They reiterate their deep gratitude for the first responders, crew members, and other boaters who helped during the tragic event.

The investigation into the collision by authorities is ongoing, and the ferry and PSTA are fully cooperating. Safety is the top priority for the Clearwater Ferry and PSTA. In its ten years of operation, the Clearwater Ferry had never experienced an incident or injury before April 27.

Service Resumption Details

Starting May 8, service will be provided by the vessel Monica’s Crossing. This vessel was not involved in the April 27 collision and received safety inspections by the U.S. Coast Guard in the past week and was cleared for service.

The Clearwater Ferry will maintain the same destinations and similar hours, operating Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. between the Clearwater Beach Marina and Downtown Clearwater. Detailed departure times and tickets are available at ClearwaterFerry.com.

As an important link in Clearwater’s transportation network, the Clearwater Ferry supports the vital tourism industry as it recovers from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, provides relief from traffic on the Clearwater Memorial Causeway, and provides a low-cost commuting option for workers at beachside businesses.

Sabrina Hennessey

Catalyst Communications Vice President 

C: 727-424-7237

E: sabrina@catalystcg.com

Amanda Baird

PSTA Director of Communications & Marketing

O:727.540.1984 C: (722) 922-5321

E: abaird@psta.net

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ABOUT PINELLAS SUNCOAST TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Since 1903, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has served as the premier public transit provider for Pinellas County, Florida’s most densely populated county. The SunRunner, Tampa Bay’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit service, provides a reliable, car-free option from downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach. With 41 fixed-route bus routes, two express routes to downtown Tampa, the Suncoast Beach trolley, Jolley Trolley and Looper and their paratransit service Access, PSTA provides 10.7 million rides annually. For more information about PSTA, visit www.psta.net