US-Flag Ferries - Publicly Operated

Most recent update: October 1, 2011.

This table attempts to list all the publicly operated ferries operating in the U.S. today - 300 of them.  Note that it does not include other types of passenger vessel, just ferries.  The list is as complete as I can make it, but small ferries are very hard to track.  Please send any corrections or additions to timcolton@aol.com.

Name of Operator Location State Name of Ferry Shipbuilder Hull # O.N. Built Length (ft.) Gross Tons Notes
Ferries Operated by or on behalf of Federal Government Agencies
U.S. Dept of Interior Inchelium WA Columbian Princess Fisherman's Shop 101 637632 1981 95 99 Active
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Orient Point NY Plum Island Blount Marine 319 1196249 2007 113 93 Active
U.S. Maritime Administration Washington DC Alakai Austal USA 615 1197588 2007 321 3,617 Laid up
U.S. Maritime Administration Washington DC Huakai Austal USA 616 1215902 2009 321 3,617 Laid up
U.S. National Park Service Houghton  MI Ranger III Bay Shipbuilding 383 277361 1958 153 648 Active
U.S. National Park Service King Salmon AK Qit Rwik Allen Marine 50 1201830 2007 61 62 Active
U.S. National Park Service Akers MO Akers Ferry Unknown     1985 50 29 Active
Ferries Operated by or on behalf of State Government Agencies
Alabama, State of Dauphin Island AL Marissa Mae Nicole New Bern Shipyard 2018 528840 1970 112 199 Ex-Conrad Wirth
Alabama, State of Dauphin Island AL Ft. Morgan Conrad Industries 494 939553 1988 140 99 Active
Alabama, State of Camden  AL Gees Bend Bonner Boats   1151336 2004 96 86 Active
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Malaspina Lockheed SB 113 290288 1963 372 2,928 Active
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Taku Lockheed SB 112 290756 1963 317 2,625 Active
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Matanuska Lockheed SB 114 291533 1963 372 3,029 Active
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Tustumena Bay Shipbuilding 418 295172 1964 266 2,174 Active
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Leconte Peterson Builders 9175 555601 1973 218 1,328 Laid up
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Columbia Lockheed SB 142 557340 1974 377 3,946 Active
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Aurora Peterson Builders 9335 582567 1977 218 1,280 Active
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Kennicott Halter Moss Point 1510 1063644 1998 344 9,978 Active
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Fairweather Derecktor CT 4100 1148175 2003 220 1,280 Active
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Lituya Conrad Industries   1148179 2004 165 97 Active
Alaska, State of Juneau  AK Chenega Derecktor CT 4200 1166054 2005 220 1,333 Active
Arkansas, State of Little Rock AR Lady Marion Unknown   516604 1968 60 38 Active
Arkansas, State of Little Rock AR St. Charles Ferry Unknown 378 549432 1967 29 9 Active
Arkansas, State of Little Rock AR Spring Bank Ferry Tug Unknown   549433 1967 28 9 Active
California, State of Walnut Creek CA J-Mack Fulton SY 233 545436 1969 62 46 Active
California, State of Walnut Creek CA The Real McCoy Stephens Marine   545438 1945 65 62 Active
California, State of Walnut Creek CA Real McCoy II Nichols Bros. 161 1225660 2010 84 98 Active
Connecticut, State of Chester  CT Selden III Luders Marine 300 257366 1949 65 87 Active
Connecticut, State of Rocky Hill  CT Cumberland Blount Marine 28 270671 1955 28 10 Active
Connecticut, State of Rocky Hill  CT Hollister III Blount Marine 29 270672 1955 64 29 Active
Delaware River & Bay Authority N. Cape May NJ Delaware Todd Houston 592 555834 1974 301 2,108 Active
Delaware River & Bay Authority N. Cape May NJ New Jersey Todd Houston 593 560370 1974 284 2,108 Active
Delaware River & Bay Authority N. Cape May NJ Twin Capes Todd Houston 594 563906 1975 301 2,262 Active
Delaware River & Bay Authority N. Cape May NJ American River Aluminum Boats 222 622759 1980 96 96 Active
Delaware River & Bay Authority N. Cape May NJ Cape Henlopen Norshipco 179 637807 1981 285 2,120 Active
Delaware River & Bay Authority N. Cape May NJ Cape May Norshipco 183 676257 1985 299 2,165 Active
Delaware River & Bay Authority N. Cape May NJ Delafort Aluminum Boats 328 962031 1990 55 39 Active
Delaware River Port Authority Philadelphia NJ Freedom Blount Marine 240 639911 1981 92 98 Ex-Essex
Delaware, State of Seaford DE Tina Fallon Chesapeake SB 84 1206170 2008 64 49 Active
Florida, State of Mayport  FL Jean Ribault Atlantic Marine 229 1038966 1996 154 497 Active
Georgia, State of Sapelo Island GA Annemarie Aqua Bay Marine 47 991008 1993 65 61 Active
Georgia, State of Sapelo Island GA Katie Underwood Geo Shipyard 184 1191526 2006 68 61 Active
Illinois, State of St. Louis  IL Ferry Barge No. 9 Unknown   555990 1973 84 75 Active
Illinois, State of St. Louis  IL Kampsville II Unknown   597970 1978 48 22 Active
Illinois, State of St. Louis  IL Ferry Barge No. 10 Riverway SY 620 597971 1978 85 79 Active
Illinois, State of St. Louis  IL Brussels II Unknown   610208 1979 48 22 Active
Illinois, State of St. Louis  IL Ferry Barge No. 11 Riverway SY 626 610290 1979 85 82 Active
Illinois, State of St. Louis  IL Deerplain Unknown   914368 1987 50 16 Active
Illinois, State of St. Louis  IL Miss Illinois Serodino 92 1064642 1998 48 45 Active
Illinois, State of St. Louis  IL Barge 2000 Serodino 98 1103212 2000 115 69 Active
Illinois, State of St. Louis  IL Belle of Calhoun Serodino 97 1103213 2001 48 45 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Louis B. Porterie Unknown   236610 1937 140 566 Ex-Westside
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Thomas Jefferson Southern SB   242522 1942 142 477 Ex-Crescent
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA W. F. Cooper Halter Equitable 429 251462 1946 42 22 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA W. Prescott Foster Halter Equitable 436 258896 1947 42 21 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Saint Charles Avondale MW 344 262063 1951 96 233 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Feliciana Calcasieu SB 21 270909 1956 97 281 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Ferry Barge No. 305-041 Ingalls IW 541 276728 1950 60 81 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Iberville Southern SB 735 277276 1958 97 223 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Cameron No II Zigler SY 165 294317 1964 204 800 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA St Francisville Equitable Equipment   510382 1967 143 656 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA New Roads Halter Equitable 1687 577910 1976 143 656 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA St. John Halter Equitable 1688 582890 1977 143 656 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Ascension Wall SY 39 583431 1977 155 787 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Capt. Neville Levy Jeffboat 2013 588306 1977 190 858 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Sen. Alvin T. Stumpf Jeffboat 2014 593578 1978 190 858 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Col. Frank X. Armiger Settoon, Fred 184 593755 1978 88 268 Active
Louisiana, State of Baton Rouge LA Acadia Halter Equitable 1723 624880 1980 143 624 Active
Maine, State of Rockland  ME North Haven Wiley Mfg.   279604 1959 85 143 Active
Maine, State of Rockland  ME Everett Libby Wiley Mfg.   280585 1967 105 198 Active
Maine, State of Rockland  ME Governor Curtis New Bern Shipyard   515310 1968 123 303 Active
Maine, State of Islesboro  ME Margaret Chase Smith Atlantic Marine 207 914647 1987 153 99 Active
Maine, State of Swans Island ME Captain Henry Lee Washburn & Doughty 41 982982 1992 127 288 Active
Maine, State of Vinalhaven  ME Captain Charles Philbrook Washburn & Doughty 42 990664 1993 127 288 Active
Maine, State of North Haven ME Captain Neal Burgess Washburn & Doughty 43 991931 1993 127 288 Active
Massachusetts Commonwealth of Woods Hole  MA Governor Moore Dry Dock 308 267527 1954 242 678 Active
Massachusetts Commonwealth of Woods Hole  MA Nantucket Bellinger Shipyard 107 556196 1974 217 1,148 Active
Massachusetts Commonwealth of Woods Hole  MA Sankaty Rysco 53 640565 1981 220 749 Active
Massachusetts Commonwealth of Woods Hole  MA Gay Head Unknown   643770 1981 218 99 Active
Massachusetts Commonwealth of Woods Hole  MA Katama Scully Bros. 171 653266 1982 216 99 Active
Massachusetts Commonwealth of Woods Hole  MA Eagle McDermott SB 278 910026 1987 220 276 Active
Massachusetts Commonwealth of Woods Hole  MA Martha's Vineyard Atlantic Marine 225 997221 1993 224 1,297 Active
Massachusetts Commonwealth of Woods Hole  MA Flying Cloud Derecktor NY 3200 1094428 2000 128 97 Active
Massachusetts Commonwealth of Woods Hole  MA Iyanough Gladding-Hearn 357 1185366 2006 145 98 Active
Massachusetts Commonwealth of Woods Hole  MA Island Home VT Halter Marine 1966 1188126 2007 235 1,567 Active
Michigan, State of Sault Ste. Marie MI Neebish Islander II Lock City Machine   250723 1946 80 90 Ex-Sugar Islander
Michigan, State of Drummond Island MI Drummond Islander III Halter Escatawpa 115 953891 1989 101 96 Active
Michigan, State of Sugar Island MI Sugar Islander II Basic Marine 93 1036099 1995 109 90 Active
Michigan, State of Drummond Island MI Drummond Islander IV Basic Marine 108 1101330 2000 142 97 Active
Montana, State of McClelland MT McClelland Ferry Unknown     2004 50 27 Active
North Carolina, State of Cedar Island NC Silver Lake New Bern Shipyard 1754 299744 1965 208 688 Active
North Carolina, State of Cedar Island NC Pamlico New Bern Shipyard 1756 501195 1965 208 734 Active
North Carolina, State of Cherry Branch NC Herbert C. Bonner New Bern Shipyard 2016 527174 1970 112 199 Active
North Carolina, State of Ocracoke  NC Governor Edward Hyde Halter Equitable 1695 582485 1977 161 574 Active
North Carolina, State of Currituck  NC Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Offshore SB 31 665747 1984 154 462 Active
North Carolina, State of Cedar Island NC Carteret Halter Equitable 1140 928441 1988 208 687 Active
North Carolina, State of Hatteras  NC Kinnakeet Houma Fabricators 92 944638 1989 140 280 Active
North Carolina, State of Hatteras  NC Frisco Patti Shipyard 135 946908 1989 140 275 Active
North Carolina, State of Hatteras  NC Cape Point Patti Shipyard 137 949251 1989 140 276 Active
North Carolina, State of Hatteras  NC Chicamacomico Patti Shipyard 136 949252 1989 140 276 Active
North Carolina, State of Hatteras  NC Ocracoke Halter Lockport 1225 964046 1990 140 275 Active
North Carolina, State of Bayview  NC Governor Daniel Russell Orange SB 265 978475 1992 173 469 Active
North Carolina, State of Hatteras  NC Roanoke Steiner Shipyard 331 996146 1994 144 248 Ex-Floyd J. Lupton
North Carolina, State of Cedar Island NC Cedar Island Halter Escatawpa 123 1023760 1994 208 648 Active
North Carolina, State of Hatteras  NC Thomas A. Baum  Steiner Shipyard 333 1025834 1995 144 283 Active
North Carolina, State of Southport  NC Southport Steiner Shipyard 347 1043680 1996 168 374 Active
North Carolina, State of Cherry Branch NC Neuse Steiner Shipyard 362 1051627 1998 168 380 Active
North Carolina, State of Cherry Branch NC Floyd J. Lupton Halter Escatawpa 161 1090004 2000 168 374 Active
North Carolina, State of Southport  NC Fort Fisher Halter Escatawpa 162 1090005 2000 168 374 Active
North Carolina, State of Hatteras  NC W. Stanford White Orange SB 355 1133333 2003 168 372 Active
North Carolina, State of Hatteras  NC Croatoan Steiner Shipyard 426 1135643 2003 168 376 Active
North Carolina, State of Hatteras  NC Hatteras Steiner Shipyard 431 1174277 2006 168 407 Active
North Carolina, State of Swan Quarter NC Swan Quarter Orange SB     2011     Building
North Carolina, State of Swan Quarter NC Unnamed Orange SB     2012     Building
Oklahoma, State of Oklahoma City OK Devon Discovery Scarano BB 6512 1207998 2007 65 17 Active
Puerto Rico Mar. Auth. San Juan  PR Cayo Norte Blount Marine 291 1033227 1995 138 497 Active
Puerto Rico Mar. Auth. San Juan  PR Cayo Largo Blount Marine 322 1212869 2008 144 96 Active
Puerto Rico Mar. Auth. San Juan  PR Cayo Blanco Conrad Industries 842 1222191 2009 146 93 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR La Nina Blount Marine 265 925559 1987 84 88 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR La Pinta Blount Marine 266 932494 1985 27 10 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Martin Pena Nichols Bros. 91 951714 1989 72 69 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Amelia Nichols Bros. 92 954592 1989 75 87 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Covadonga Nichols Bros. 93 956427 1989 75 87 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR San Geronimo Nichols Bros. 94 958725 1990 75 87 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Viejo San Juan Nichols Bros. 95 959501 1990 75 87 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Cristobal Colon Nichols Bros. 96 961359 1990 75 87 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Santa Maria Blount Marine 284 965338 1990 136 72 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Culebra II Breaux's Bay Craft 1696 1041850 1996 126 203 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Fajardo II Halter Lockport 1658 1047275 1996 87 94 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Atlantis Gulf Craft 420 1063840 1998 94 66 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Caribena VT Halter Marine 1954 1153441 2004 90 65 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Isleno Blount Marine 315 1157743 2004 95 528 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Puerto Real Blount Marine     1976 128 95 Out of service ?
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Vieques II Breaux's Bay Craft 1695 1041579 1996 126 203 Active
Puerto Rico Ports Auth. San Juan  PR Conquistadora Steiner Shipyard 321   1993 101 215 Out of service ?
Puerto Rico Ports Auth.  San Juan  PR La Princesa Blount Marine 324 1221854 2009 70 99 Active
South Carolina, State of Georgetown  SC South Island Unknown   591930 1978 46 23 Active
Tennessee, State of Erin  TN The Danville-Faxon Walker Boatyard   274057 1957 39 21 Ex-Hickson
Tennessee, State of Cumberland City TN The Cumberland Vanguard Services 86 677935 1984 48 32 Active
Tennessee, State of Cumberland City TN Lucille II Rhode Island Marine 702 1024934 1981 25 8 Active
Texas, State of Galveston  TX Gibb Gilchrist Jeffboat 2565 578809 1977 253 1,145 Active
Texas, State of Port Aransas TX J. C. Dingwall Halter Equitable 1130 915236 1987 91 94 Active
Texas, State of Port Aransas TX B. L. DeBerry Halter Equitable 1131 915237 1987 91 94 Active
Texas, State of Port Aransas TX Mark G. Goode Halter Escatawpa 112 943923 1989 91 94 Active
Texas, State of Galveston  TX Robert C. Lanier Alabama SY 29 973716 1991 237 1,156 Active
Texas, State of Port Aransas TX R. E. Stotzer, Jr. State Service 6 992668 1993 91 94 Active
Texas, State of Galveston  TX DeWitt C. Greer Halter Escatawpa 122 1026728 1994 253 1,196 Active
Texas, State of Port Aransas TX Arnold W. Oliver Steiner Shipyard 345 1038967 1996 91 94 Active
Texas, State of Galveston  TX Ray Stoker, Jr. Halter Escatawpa 128 1046230 1996 253 1,082 Active
Texas, State of Galveston  TX Robert H. Dedman Halter Gulfport 151 1075027 1998 253 1,082 Active
Texas, State of Port Aransas TX William G. Burnett Bludworth, John 102 1088381 1999 91 94 Active
Texas, State of Galveston TX John W. Johnson Conrad Industries 831 1228845 2010 264 1,248 Active
Utah, State of Halls Crossing UT Charles Hall Mark Steel 36707 1107824 2001 148 86 Active
Virginia, Commonwealth of Scotland  VA Virginia Unknown   235212 1936 152 327 Active
Virginia, Commonwealth of Scotland  VA Surry Wiley Mfg. 12 615709 1979 190 825 Active
Virginia, Commonwealth of Scotland  VA Williamsburg Atlantic Marine 196 660546 1983 200 837 Active
Virginia, Commonwealth of Scotland  VA Pocahontas Halter Escatawpa 124 1032336 1995 263 1,197 Active
Virginia, Commonwealth of Jamestown  VA Discovery Boothbay Harbor SY   1192126 2007 51 41 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Rhododendron Maryland SB 129 251646 1947 218 937 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Martha S. Hydraulic Supply   255341 1948 72 71 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Evergreen State Lockheed SB 98 268732 1954 297 2,041 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Klahowya Lockheed SB 103 277872 1958 298 2,055 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Tillikum Lockheed SB 104 278437 1959 298 2,069 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Hiyu Gunderson   508159 1967 150 498 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Hyak NASSCO 353 508160 1967 369 2,704 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Kaleetan NASSCO 354 508604 1967 369 2,704 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Yakima NASSCO 355 511823 1967 369 2,705 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Elwha NASSCO 356 512324 1968 368 2,812 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Spokane Todd Seattle 53 544785 1972 430 3,246 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Walla Walla Todd Seattle 54 546382 1973 430 3,246 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Issaquah Marine Power 343 624022 1979 302 2,469 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Kittitas Marine Power 344 627507 1980 302 2,476 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Kitsap Marine Power 345 630023 1980 301 2,475 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Cathlamet Marine Power 346 636551 1981 301 2,477 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Chelan Marine Power 347 643291 1981 301 2,477 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Sealth Marine Power 348 662478 1982 302 2,477 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Kalama Halter Equitable 1157 949139 1989 102 96 Laid up
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Tacoma Todd Seattle 91 1052576 1997 440 3,926 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Wenatchee Todd Seattle 92 1061309 1998 440 3,926 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Puyallup Todd Seattle 93 1061310 1998 440 3,926 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Chetzemoka Todd Seattle 99 1228643 2010 235 4,623 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Salish Todd Seattle 100 1229903 2011 257 4,623 Active
Washington, State of Seattle  WA Kennewick Todd Seattle 101   2012 235 4,623 Building
Wisconsin, State of Merrimac  WI Colsac III Basic Marine 116 1138723 2003 101 153 Active
Wisconsin, State of Merrimac  WI Unnamed SkipperLiner     2011 78   Building
Ferries Operated by or on behalf of County Government Agencies
Butler County KY Morgantown KY Morgantown Ferry Phelps, J. and E.   260983 1949 50 12 Active
Charlevoix County MI Ironton  MI Charlevoix Unknown   225736 1926 50 43 Active
Chatham County GA Savannah GA Florence Martus Susquehanna BW 32 1102989 2001 62 26 Ex-Juliette Gordon Low
Chatham County GA Savannah GA Juliette Gordon Low Patti Shipyard 162 1137866 2003 55 51 Active
Chatham County GA Savannah GA Susie King Taylor Patti Shipyard 161 1137876 2003 55 51 Active
Clackamas County OR Oregon City OR M. J. Lee Diversified Marine   1046346 1996 55 54 Ex-Canby Car Ferry
Erie County PA Erie PA Aquabus II Willard Marine   1092980 2000 40 17 Active
Erie County PA