Yankee Freedom III, LLC is authorized by the NPS and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park.
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Key West Ferry To The Dry Tortugas Section

Key West Ferry To The Dry Tortugas

The Yankee Freedom is a high speed, state-of-the-art, all aluminum catamaran recognized world wide for safety, performance and passenger comfort. Built in New England in 2012, she entered service in Key West in the fall of 2012. It is equipped with the latest and most sophisticated safety, navigation, and communication equipment. The Yankee Freedom has undergone a thorough U.S. Coast Guard inspection and will do so each year.
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Performance Section

The starboard side of the high-speed catamaran Yankee Freedom Performance Tablet Performance Mobile
Performance

The Yankee Freedom catamaran is powered by twin Caterpillar engines that give her a speed of over 30 miles per hour, making Yankee Freedom catamaran the fastest vessel of her size out of Key West. Also, below decks are two generators plus a multitude of machinery and equipment to operate the vessel in the safest, quietest, and most dependable manner possible.

The upper deck of the Yankee Freedom is open to the sea air and sights and sounds of marine life. There is spacious sundeck seating with areas to stretch out in and enjoy the sunshine and the view. Also topside there is a convenient cocktail bar with protective covering.

The large, completely air-conditioned cabin has comfortable cushioned seating and large windows all around. DVD monitors are available for your pleasure. Here, you’ll find a complete modern galley serving a complimentary breakfast snack and box lunch served at Fort Jefferson. A snack and cocktail bar are open at other times during your voyage on our Key West ferry. Also on the main deck are fresh water rinse showers and three separate restrooms.

Features Section

A middle-aged man flanked by two other women facing out towards the Dry Tortugas National Park from the deck of the Yankee Freedom Features Tablet
Features
  • Large, fully air-conditioned main cabin
  • Comfortable cushioned seats
  • Three large restrooms
  • Fresh water rinse showers
  • A full galley where you can purchase snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine, frozen and mixed drinks (on return trip only), film, and souvenirs
  • The upper deck is open to the sea-air and sights and sounds of marine life
  • DVD monitors
  • There is spacious shaded and un-shaded sundeck seating with areas to stretch out and enjoy the sunshine and the view
  • Convenient cocktail bar (open on return trip only)
  • The Yankee Freedom is the official Key West ferry of the Dry Tortugas National Park

Boat Specs Section

Mom smiling at her daughter while both seated at a table while onboard the Yankee Freedom on route to the Dry Tortugas Boat Specs Tablet
Boat Specs
Construction:
All Aluminum
Builder:
Glading & Hearn Shipbuilding
Type:
Australian Incat Design Ocean Catamaran
Size:
110 feet
Passenger Capacity:
250 persons
Park Limit:
175 persons
Interior Seating:
Up to 125 persons
Exterior Seating:
Up to 125 persons
Draft:
5’9”
Speed:
30 knots max.;
cruising speed 27 knots
Power:
2 Caterpillar 3412 Engines
Cabin:
Fully air conditioned with cushioned seating and dinette tables
Galley and Bar:
Full galley with snacks and sandwiches, and two complete beverage bars
Bathrooms:
3 large bathrooms, including one handicapped facility
Fresh Water:
Showers for rinsing off stern deck

History Section

The captain of the Yankee Freedom on the bridge steering the catamaran towards the Dry Tortugas History Tablet
History

In 1944, on a shore 35 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts, a young boy named Jerry Hill began taking visitors on an afternoon sail aboard his small sailboat. It is from this childhood business the Yankee Fleet was born. Today Jerry, his wife Carol and family operate the Yankee Fleet with vessels located in Key West, Florida and Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Located in Key West, Florida, one of the jewels of the Yankee Fleet is the catamaran Yankee Freedom. The Yankee Freedom is the fastest, largest and newest state-of-the-art ferry transporting passengers to Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park.

The Yankee Fleet in Gloucester, Massachusetts has over 7 vessels and has grown to become New England’s leader in whale watching excursions, deep sea fishing trips, education, whale conservation and marine stewardship.

The Yankee Freedom is a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). We have also been honored with the ISO Environmental Award. Therefore, our services conform to International Standards of quality, service, environmental awareness and reliability. No other fleet in Florida has this distinguished honor.

We are also ADA (American Disability Act) compliant.

Learn more about taking a voyage to the Dry Tortugas aboard the Yankee Freedom.

General Info Section

Aerial view of the hexoganal Ft. Jefferson surrounded by the azure waters of the Dry Tortugas General Info Tablet General Info Mobile

General Info

  • FACILITIES
    This Key West ferry has 3 restrooms.

  • STORAGE
    Store your belongings under the tables and benches.

  • BEVERAGES
    You may purchase non-alcoholic drinks and snacks from the galley on the way to and from the fort.

  • QUESTIONS
    Please feel free to ask the crew to answer any questions or for assistance.

  • SUPPLIES
    We provide complimentary snorkeling gear.

  • BELONGINGS
    Please take everything you will need on the island off the boat with you upon arrival.

  • TOUR
    The 40-minute narrated tour begins at the Fort Entrance.

  • BREAKFAST & LUNCH
    Breakfast Snack and Box Lunch are included with your trip.

  • WATER
    Fresh water is available on the Yankee Freedom all day.

  • Cocktail Bar
    Beer, wine, frozen and mixed drinks available for purchase (on return trip only).

  • CAMPER DEPARTURE
    Day of your departure: Load cleaned gear on the ferry upon arrival, after passengers have disembarked.
  • FERRY DEPARTURE
    You must be aboard by 2:45 pm. The boat will leave Fort Jefferson at 3pm.
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Environmental Awards Section

A crew member collecting tickets for those boarding the Yankee Freedom to the Dry Tortugas Environmental Awards Tablet
Environmental Awards

The Yankee Freedom is concerned with the environment. Our high standards and stringent ecological guidelines have earned us an environmental ISO certification. The Yankee Freedom is one of the first ferries to be ISO certified in the United States. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards bodies. Founded on February 23 1947, the organization produces world-wide industrial and commercial standards. ISO sets standards that often become law; through treaties or national standards.

We at the Yankee Freedom take great pride in the tremendous strides we’ve taken to comply with the standards set forth by ISO. The products purchased by the Yankee Freedom are either recycled or environmentally friendly. We keep a watchful eye on how much non-recyclable waste is produced each year and consistently reduce the number as years goes by. We promote the recycling of bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. We collect unconsumed food for compost.  All of the lighting on the Yankee Freedom is low-energy LED.

We participate with the National Park Service in the protection and non-invasive behavior around indigenous wildlife at Ft. Jefferson. The Yankee Freedom keeps its eye on the ecology of the Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas islands so that future generations may enjoy them as much as we have.

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