The Fort Gates Ferry, a popular ferry service, has been out of service nearly 17 months after damages sustained during Hurricane Irma.
It has transported people and vehicles across the St. Johns River near Welaka to Salt Springs for more than 100 years. It saves about 50 miles of driving for folks who now have to go through Palatka and all the way around to the other side in what would otherwise be a one-mile boat ride.
“Business side of the ferry is all dried-up,” said Dale Jones, operator of the Fort Gates Ferry.
Jones has ferried travelers across the St. Johns River Doe more than 20 years. For the last 17 months, however, his boat and barge have not moved.
“Nothing was anchored down, nothing was hurricane strapped-up on this landing,” Jones said.
He said people call or stop-by every day to check when the ferry will be back in service. Pete Ackerman, who lives near Crescent City, has family and friends on the other side of the river.
“It’s kind of like a shortcut, but more so than that it’s just a real kick to take it,” Ackerman said. “The historical value you can feel it.”
Putnam County recently added concrete blocks at the end of the road and some new signs, which inform travelers that the ferry is temporarily closed. Jones said the County wants to repave the road, but he needs his ferry back in service.
According to Jones, in the agreement between Putnam County and the operators, it falls on the County to make repairs to the dock, landing for the ferry, leaving Jones to fix the barge and boat.
“Last October, they got the money again and we’re gonna restore it back to the original plan, they got bids on it again and nothing has ever been done,” Jones said.
First Coast News called and emailed Putnam County officials in search of a status on the project. Messages were not immediately returned.
Jones explained without efforts made by Putnam County to repair and maintain the landing, there is no hope in repairing the historic barge that was damaged when a piece of rebar from the dock punctured the bottom.
“We’re patient but there’s no reason why it should take that long,” Ackerman said.