On August 5th, PSTA issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a new operator and Hubbard’s Marina was one of four respondents.
Founded in 1928 by Captain Wilson Hubbard as a bait-and-tackle shop, Hubbard’s Marina has grown into a major fishing and boating business.
The family-owned company moved to John’s Pass on Madeira Beach in 1976, where it now offers deep-sea fishing, sightseeing tours, and operates a maintenance and manufacturing facility in Gulfport.
PSTA Board Chair and St. Petersburg City Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders said the unanimous vote demonstrates a shared commitment to building a dependable, enjoyable, and future-focused ferry service and praised Hubbard’s deep understanding of local waterways.
“My father, Mark Hubbard, has wanted this for decades – a reliable waterborne transit for our region,” Director of Business Development for Hubbard’s Marina, Tara Hubbard, said during a Tuesday media conference.
“My great-grandfather, who came to the region nearly 100 years ago, would ferry passengers to the barrier islands before there were even bridges. Being here at this point in history and to offer this to our community is something that we feel very excited for,” Hubbard continued.