New Bedford — Seastreak In 2005, it began high-speed ferry service from New Bedford State Pier.
For the first few years, we weren’t making a profit.
“It’s been tough,” said Jim Barker, president and founder of Seastreak.
However, the ferry service New Bedford State Pier By 2023, Seastreak’s New Bedford State Pier terminal had grown to serve 175,000 people annually.
Changes in New Bedford
“Things have really changed in New Bedford,” Barker said.
Headquartered in New Jersey and serving New York, New Jersey and New England, the company currently operates a fleet of 10 high-speed ferries.
This includes their newest vessel, Courageous.
Barker said the ship is the largest high-speed passenger ferry in the United States, carrying 600 people and capable of traveling at 35 knots per hour.
These “bow loaders” are specially designed to fit on the docks at New Bedford State Pier, as well as Steamship Authority facilities on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
Seastreak holds a licence allowing it to use the authority’s facilities.
Cuttyhunk:The Cuttyhunk Ferry at New Bedford State Pier is the “lifeline” to tiny Cuttyhunk Island.
Expanding Year-Round Service to Martha’s Vineyard
Barker said the plan is to expand service this year to provide year-round service from New Bedford State Pier to Martha’s Vineyard.
They’re not currently making a profit on the service, but they’re already close to breaking even and hope to surpass that level next winter.
Seastreak is taking advantage of the demand for skilled labor on Martha’s Vineyard, which it can provide in the New Bedford market, he said.
Barker added that the 175,000 people who pass through New Bedford State Pier aboard the Seastreak “obviously come into town and spend money in local stores, restaurants and businesses.”
Cruise Lines:American Cruise Lines’ proposed new Bedford State Pier park facility
The proposal is briefly summarized
Barker made this point at a meeting in May. Mass Development Seven current proposals for the redevelopment of the New Bedford State Pier have been announced.
Seastreak’s proposal can be summed up succinctly.
“We’re basically proposing to do what we’ve always done,” Barker said.
Parking is needed, but additional terminal space is not required.
The current parking lot provides valet parking, baggage and passenger drop-off and pickup services, and serves as a place for people to park their cars upon returning from trips to the island.
Barker said he wants to build a cafe with a full-service kitchen and retail space in the current terminal building, but would need a five-year lease to justify the cost.
Mr Barker said the cafe and retail space would be well-suited to serve a growing customer base.
base:Proposal for new Bedford State Pier would boost fishing as a tourist attraction. What you need to know.
Providence to New Bedford to the Islands
Seastreak currently provides coordination services with the region’s transportation network, he said.
Seastreak can connect Amtrak Passengers will travel through Providence to the ferry, and “you can book your Amtrak ticket directly to Nantucket or directly through New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard. It’s seamless.”
Servedwell:Can a New Bedford State Pier restaurant draw 200,000 people to downtown? What you need to know.
A MassDevelopment review committee will consider seven proposals, including Seastrak’s, and make a recommendation. No deadline has been set for a decision.
The committee can recommend whether to approve the proposal in whole or in part, or reject it altogether. The lease period for an approved proposal could be up to 35 years.
MassDevelopment is the state’s development financial institution and land bank and manages the eight acres of state-owned land.
