Gulf Island Ferry to Resume Service for Anna Maria Island Workers and Residents Amid Recovery Efforts

The Gulf Island Ferry service will resume operations on November 1, providing critical transportation for Anna Maria Island residents and employees working on the barrier islands as the region continues to recover from Hurricane Milton. This temporary arrangement, announced by Elliott Falcione, aims to support those who lost access to transportation during the storm. Both residents and employees must register with the Gulf Island Ferry to receive free ferry service during this interim period.

The service, which normally caters to tourists as well, will be restricted to essential commuting for island locals and workers as the area rebuilds. Two 40-foot catamarans will ferry passengers to and from the island, using a new temporary floating pier after sections of the Historic Anna Maria Pier collapsed in the storm’s surge.

Local business owner Brian Seymour, whose Pier City Grill was previously accessible via the ferry service, has felt the impact of the storm firsthand. With the restaurant now closed and isolated from foot traffic, Seymour has already had to lay off 15 employees. Reconstruction of the pier is expected to take six to eight months, during which time the ferry will operate with limited access.

Officials from the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hope to fully restore the Gulf Island Ferry service for all visitors and tourists after the holiday season, marking a milestone in the community’s journey back to normalcy.