Amelia River Cruises bids on Cumberland Island concession

Photo courtesy of Amelia River Cruises
Submitted by Kevin McCarthy

Ferry service to the Cumberland Island National Seashore is up for bid this year and Fernandina's own Kevin McCarthy, owner and operator of the popular Amelia River Cruises, will submit a proposal. Marianne Mills, a spokesperson for the National Park Service is quoted in the Brunswick News that "the Cumberland Island museum and park service office will remain in St. Marys after a new ferry contract begins, other ferry landing sites could be authorized,depending on the proposals."

According to McCarthy, his proposal calls for "two ferries each day that could take up to 150 passengers each for a total of 300 visitors per day, the same as St. Marys."

McCarthy is working with Phil Scanlan and Friends of Amelia Island Trails to offer "bicycle friendly" transportation to Cumberland. With the ability for bicyclists and other users to then connect to St Marys, the East Coast Greenway trail through Fernandina Beach will be reconnected. In 2011, the connection was severed when ferry service from Fernandina to St Marys was discontinued. East Coast Greenway's goal is to connect "multi-user trails" from Maine to Florida.

For years, McCarthy has sought to provide a Fernandina connection to Cumberland Island.   Helping McCarthy in his quest are U.S. Representative Andre Crenshaw,  U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, and local attorney Arthur Jacobs.

March 14, 2014 9:45 p.m.