Table 1: Extent of the U.S. Ferry System, 1999-2007
| Year | 1999 | 2005 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Census Year | 2000 | 2006 | 2008 |
| Ferry operators | |||
| Responding to NCFO | 224 | 230 | 213 |
| Operators in service | 224 | 230 | 208 |
| With scheduled rutes | 224 | 211 | 190 |
| Ferry Fleet Size | |||
| Vessels in service | N/A | N/A | 680 |
| Vessels not in service | N/A | N/A | 36 |
| Service status unknown | N/A | N/A | 5 |
| Total Fleet Size | 677 | 690 | 721 |
| U.S. Ferry Segments | |||
| Interstate (State-to-State) | 372 | 313 | 282 |
| Intrastate (within a single State) | 54 | 51 | 50 |
| To/from international destinations | 26 | 18 | 17 |
| Total ferry segments | 452 | 382 | 349 |
| Total segment miles | 12,367 | 9,788 | 7,877 |
| Average segment length | 31.4 | 30 | 22.6 |
| Median segment length | 6.7 | 5.8 | 6.9 |
| Ferry Terminals | |||
| U.S. ferry terminals with regular route Service | 546 | 541 | 496 |
| International terminals with service to/from the U.S. | 30 | 15 | 12 |
| Total | 576 | 556 | 508 |
NOTES: Data cover ferry operations for the year preceeding the Census year.
Distances shown in this table are in statute miles.
The average segment length for 2000 and 2006 includes two long segments (1703 and 813 statute miles) operated by Foss Maritime and Alaska Railroad Ferries. These segments were not operated in 2008 resulting in much of the significant drop in the average segment length in 2008.
SOURCE: National Census of Ferry Operators, U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (2006 & 2008), Federal Highway Administration (2000). Data available at www.bts.gov.
Updated: Sunday, May 21, 2017