After almost two months out of service, Jacksonville’s water taxis will be back in business Friday afternoon.
Pam Roman, a spokeswoman for the city, said the two boats passed U.S. Coast Guard inspections earlier today.
The water taxis will be back online at 4:30 p.m. Friday, just in time for the Jacksonville Jaguars preseason game against Tampa Bay.
The inspections were done on two boats ultimately purchased by Beaver Streets Fisheries owner Harry Frisch.
The city entered into an agreement with a Tavares-based boat seller to purchase two boats for $339,000 as an emergency. the purchase was the result of trying to maintain the service when the previous service-provider ended local operations June 7.
City Council didn’t appropriate the money for the transaction, making it an “unauthorized purchase.”
The city then sent notice that it wanted its money back from the seller, claiming he didn’t meet certain promises.
Frisch then stepped up to buy the boats and have the money returned to the city.
He agreed to lease them back to the city for use by a short-term operator, which the city has selected.
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