Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Tampa Bay Times article on the Cross Bay Ferry:

Altman: Advocates use ferry test to push for MacDill route, too

• Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer

Thursday, November 17, 2016 5:29am

With an Air Force career that saw him rise to the rank of major general, Dave Scott is more used to flying over water than sailing on it.

But that’s not stopping the Apollo Beach resident from being a strong advocate for waterborne transportation. He started up the Tampa Bay Citizens for High Speed Ferry to help get commuters off the bridges and onto the bays.

Earlier this month, Scott, along with scores of other local VIPs, community leaders and military personnel, got a chance to see for himself what it would be like to ride the waves to work.

On Nov. 1, the Cross Bay Ferry, a $1.4 million pilot program to link St. Petersburg and Tampa, made its inaugural run. Two days later, the ferry took a demonstration trip to the waters off south Hillsborough County to show how effective water transportation could be for people who work at MacDill and live in places like Riverview, Apollo Beach, Ruskin and other parts of the county.

Scott, who used to commute to MacDill daily from his home in Apollo Beach, was among those on both trips.

On Nov. 3, as the ferry left for the demonstration run, Scott stood at the back of the ship and followed speakers like ferry advocate Ed Turanchik, U.S. Rep Kathy Castor and County Commissioner Sandra Murman to talk about his support.

During a recent flight from Key West back to Tampa, Scott said he was struck by the small bridges and vast expanse of water.

With so few ways to get across, “something is wrong,” he said.

Scott’s vision is an easier commute for those who work at MacDill.

Castor said she shares that vision.

“We have a $5 million federal grant that is pending and a local commitment to get that done,” said Castor.

There are roadblocks.

HMS Ferries, which runs the pilot program, also is working with Hillsborough County on one that would connect the south shore area near Apollo Beach to MacDill Air Force Base. But it will be years before the county completes the necessary environmental impact studies to unlock those dollars.

As the ferry left the channel and headed out into the bay, where it can do a top speed of nearly 40 mph, Turanchik urged riders to head to the bow to get a real taste for how quick the commute might be.

“If you have long hair, go up in front,” he said. “It’s going to whip around.”