HMS, Corpus Christi Enhance Harbor Ferry Service

MARCH 11, 2011 (NEW ALBANY, Ind.) HMS Global Maritime is excited to announce the launching of the Harbor Ferry service in Corpus Christi, Texas, serving the Coastal Bend community and surrounding areas.
In a partnership with the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), HMS Global Maritime will launch the service to the community on March 12, 2011, making it their eighteenth operating location worldwide.
“The Board of Directors and all employees at RTA are very excited to renew this service to the community,” said Scott Neeley, RTA CEO. “We have worked hard to bring the Harbor Ferry into operation this year and trust that our local patrons and visitors will appreciate the new voyage as we sail to success!”
The ferry service will be performed by M/V Independence; a double-decker vessel built in 1985 and formerly docked in Jacksonville, Florida. The ninety-foot vessel will carry passengers from the Peoples Street T-Head to the Texas State Aquarium/Corpus Christi Beach area.
“All of us at HMS Global Maritime are looking forward to working with RTA in providing a safe, clean and reliable Harbor Ferry Service to the Corpus Christi community,” said Bill Annand, Vice President of HMS Global Maritime. “HMS Global Maritime not only looks forward to working with RTA to provide world-class Harbor Ferry Service, but also the other exciting opportunities for water-borne transportation in the region.”
The Independence was brought from Jacksonville, Fla., after having been used in Lake Erie; Norfolk, Va., and Philadelphia, Pa., Annand said. It is Coast Guard certified for use to three miles off shore. The company upgraded the closed passenger compartments, which seat 149, with air conditioning and restrooms that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
"This current vessel, being a 90-foot Westport, has a long history of reliability and very good seakeeping. She will be more than adequate for the Harbor Ferry service and could easily handle other routes in the bay area," said General Manager Steve Caputo. "My crew and I are looking forward to providing RTA and the Corpus Christi community with a safe, clean and reliable vessel for the ferry service"

The service schedule for the Harbor Ferry is as follows:

March 12 – 20, 2011                                  Daily, 10am – 6pm
March 26 – May 29, 2011                          Saturday/Sunday only, 10am – 6pm
May 30 – September 5, 2011                   Wednesday – Monday, 10am – 6pm
September 10 – November 27, 2011    Saturday/Sunday only, 10am – 6pm

*The Harbor Ferry will not operate April 9-10, 2011.

A round-trip pass is $3.00 while a reduced fare pass is $1.50.

HMS Global Maritime manages and operates vessels in eighteen locations in Alabama, Florida, Philadelphia/Camden, Oklahoma, Washington, Japan and Trinidad.