The Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, a fixture on the Tred Avon River for an amazing 342 years, has a new owner.
As Chesapeake Bay Magazine reported in May 2024, longtime ferry owner/operators Captains Judy and Tom Bixler recently felt they were ready to retire. The Bixlers wanted to find just the right fit in a successor for the ferry business. They told us last year that they were willing to wait for the ideal buyer who will serve as a steward of their historic gem for the next several years.
“We knew it would not be easy to find the right person for this business,” says Capt. Tom Bixler. “It takes a special person to own and operate a ferry with a legacy this strong.”
The Bixlers have found that steward in Jim Andrews, who owns the Galveston, Texas, vessel operations company JettyLight. Andrews holds a 1,600-ton captain’s license and is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and 20-year Coast Guard career veteran. He held command positions on the Coast Guard cutters Thunder Bay and Dauntless, has an MS in oceanography from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA from Rice University.
“We’re confident that Jim, who is a professional mariner and successful entrepreneur, has the personality and commitment to shepherd the ferry business into the future,” Tom Bixler says.
The Oxford-Bellevue ferry is important to Talbot County residents, tourists, historians, and local businesses. It’s one of the Chesapeake Bay’s cherished historic ferries. Established in 1683, it provides transportation for vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles and passengers between the charming town of Oxford and the historic working maritime community of Bellevue.
The ferry Talbot is a steel-hulled, double-ended ferry. The vessel is equipped with two rudders and two engines so the captain never has to turn it around to make a return trip. At 65 feet long with a 30-foot beam, The Talbot can carry 99 passengers with no vehicles aboard or 82 people with up to nine vehicles aboard.
The ferry line serves a practical purpose and a fun experience for visitors, too. And, of course, there’s its status as the oldest privately-operated ferry in America. The service began in November 1683 as a ferry service for “Horses and Men”. The operator, a family member of Tilghman and Poplar islands’ owners, was paid his salary in tobacco. It hasn’t stopped running (seasonally) ever since.
“The Oxford Bellevue Ferry is much more than just a means to cross the Tred Avon ,” says Captain Judy. “It’s a cornerstone of the community’s identity, often referred to as the crown jewel of Talbot County. People tell us that the sound of the ferry’s diesel engines, as they fire up after a long winter, is the true sign that spring has arrived in Oxford.”
This spring, the ferry will start up under the direction of Jim Andrews. Andrews hopes to enhance the ferry services while keeping its historical integrity.
We are honored to continue this heritage in historic Oxford,” he says. “Our commitment to maintaining the ferry’s iconic charm will have a very familiar feel to our employees, customers, partners and stakeholders.”
Tom and Judy Bixler plan to stay in the area and may even sit in at the helm of the ferry from time to time. They recall how the owners they took over from 23 years ago, Captains David and Valerie Bittner, provided support and friendship in the previous transition.
The Oxford Bellevue Ferry will open for the season April 5, with weekend crossings and the Blessing of the Fleet happening Friday evening, April 4. The ferry will begin seven day a week operation on Oxford Day, April 26.
Captain Jim Andrews is hiring. For more information on how to join the Oxford Bellevue Ferry team, email him at jim@jettylight.com.
