Salem Ferry Set To Return To Harbor This Month

SALEM, MA — After a year of choppy seas, Boston Harbor City Cruises are hoping it will be smooth sailing for the Salem Ferry this spring, summer and fall.

The Nathaniel Bowditch fell victim to the coronavirus last year when it got off to a late start because of virus restrictions and was halted after Labor Day because of low ridership and the city's cancellation of Halloween-related activities.

But all systems appear to be set to go starting May 21 this year with a full slate of round trips planned for weekdays and weekends. The schedule currently has four weekday trips Mondays through Wednesdays with an 8:30 p.m. departure from Boston's Long Wharf and a 7 p.m. trip from the Salem Ferry Center added on Thursdays and Fridays.

There will also be five weekend trips with the earlier departure from Salem at 8 a.m. and a later 8:30 p.m. trip back from Boston.

There is a discount commuter rate for Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. departures only as well as a Salem resident rate and Greater Salem resident rate.

The Salem rate of $19 round trip for adults, $15 for seniors and $11 for children requires proof of residency — such as a driver's license or recent utility bill — when purchasing tickets at the BHC booth.

The Greater Salem rate — which is for residents of Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody and Swampscott — is $33.75 round trip for adults, $30.75 for seniors and $26.75 for children.

Children 2 years old or younger are free.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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