Port approves landing‑rights agreements to launch water‑taxi pilot with two operators

The Port Commission on Sept. 11 authorized staff to finalize landing‑rights agreements with two operators to begin water‑taxi service on the San Francisco waterfront.

Jerry Roybal, the Port’s maritime marketing manager, told commissioners that staff issued a request for qualifications in July, solicited more than 600 parties and considered nine responses. A screening committee shortlisted four responsive firms and interviewed candidates; the committee endorsed two small operators that met vessel‑size and safety criteria and could begin service in time for the fall event season.

The operators presented were Dave Thomas, owner of San Francisco Water Taxi (operator of the 29‑foot Emerald Lady, 16‑passenger capacity, roughly 18,000 passengers to date and on track for about 25,000 by year‑end), and Captain Taylor Lewis of Tideline Marine Group (operating a 12‑passenger vessel with plans to scale to larger types). Staff described two complementary service models: a hop‑on/hop‑off water‑taxi route for regular passenger service and an on‑call/inducement service to serve places around the Bay.

Public commenters and maritime representatives praised staff’s work. Captain Ray Shipway noted Captain Lewis’s commitment to training and agreed‑upon prevailing wages; staff emphasized that each operator started with one vessel and planned to scale fleet size as demand grows.

Commissioners supported piloting the service as a phased approach, noting water taxis could alleviate congestion around large events if coordinated with parking and landing locations. Port staff said they would continue coordination on landing permissions and spoke of potential satellite parking (Mission Bay Lot A) to facilitate Park‑and‑Ride connections.

The Commission’s authorization allows the Executive Director or designee to finalize and execute the landing‑rights agreements under the terms described in the staff report.