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Steel Electric Class Suddently Retired - 13-Dec-2007
Washington State Ferries may scrap it's oldest boats, the Steel Electric class, which originally sailed in San Francisco Bay before they were forced out by the bridges opened in the late 1930's. The state may scrap the ferries immediately rather than try to make further repairs, and try to get their replacements built as quickly as possible. Quinault, Klickitat, Illahee and Nisqually were all built in the late 1920s. Klickitat and Illahee were still running, but recent inspections have shown that their hulls are in poor condition.
Encinal and Peralta Out of Service - 21-Sep-2007
The Alameda/Oakland Ferry reported that both of their ferries, Encinal and Peralta were out of service during the morning commute because of mechanical problems. They used Harbor Emperor for two runs.
Vallejo Ferry Damages Golden Gate Landing - 19-Sep-2007
The Harbor Bay Ferry cancelled service because of unusual high winds. Other services did not cancel runs.
Vallejo Ferry Damages Golden Gate Landing - 07-Jun-2007
A Vallejo Ferry leaving the Ferry Building damaged one of the Golden Gate Ferries' two landing spots, forcing them to run all boats from one ramp.
New Book: Ferries of San Francisco Bay - 31-May-2007
Paul C Trimble has published a new book, Ferries of San Francisco Bay. It is an entry in Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series.
The book talks about the various historic various routes, and today's ferries.
I particularly enjoyed the author's personal stories, and the many photos which I had not seen before. I think the two most interesting photos showed the Eureka's new walking beam being built at the Moore Drydock Company and being installed in 1926.
WSF to Retain Old San Francisco Ferries - 18-May-2007
Thanks to Val Golding for passing this along: Television station KOMO reported ("State ferry system to stick with old vessels on Port Townsend run") that Washington State Ferries, after six years of studies, has decided that it cannot afford to replace the four former San Francisco ferries which were launched in 1927: Illahee, Klickitat, Nisqually and Quinault. The fleet's newer ferries are too large to call at Port Townsend. The four boats will have to replaced one day.
Members of WestCoastFerryboats reported that a former Vallejo-Mare Island ferry, the Pelican, built in the 1940's, was offerred for sale on Craigslist. The owner was forced to get rid of it because it could not stay at the marina where it was berthed.
New Book: Ferries of Puget Sound - 31-May-2006
Steven J Pickens has published an excellent new book, Ferries of Puget Sound.
The book concentrates on the period since 1951, when Washington State Ferries took over operations of most of the Puget Sound ferry fleet. Chapters include:
Ferry Peralta Goes to Washington - 19-Dec-2005
Alameda/Oakland catamaran ferry Peralta will soon be sailing to Washington State. The announcement from the operator:
"The M.V. Peralta went off line this week to prepare for its long planned trip to Washington State for warranty repairs. >Once preparations are completed the boat will (weather permitting) begin a 35 hour trip to a Whidbey Island shipyard where a new passenger cabin and wheelhouse will be installed. The Peralta is expected to return to service in April 2006. During her absence, the M.V. Encinal will be the primary Alameda/Oakland Ferry weekday boat. Additional weekday, weekend and back up service will be operated with the Zalinski, Bay Clipper and Bay Flyer."
Ferry Peralta Runs Over Sailboat - 13-Sep-2003
Alameda/Oakland catamaran ferry Peralta was reported to have run down a sailboat, which was dismasted. Two people on the sailboat suffered minor injuries.
Ferry Berkeley to Move for Preservation Work - 31-Mar-2003
San Francisco ferry Berkeley, displayed at the San Diego Maritime Museum, will leave its berth for the first time since 1973, except for one unintended trip during a storm in 1988. Her thinning metal hull will receive a waterproofing treatment at Southwest Marine.
Ferry Building Reopened, Part Way - 21-Mar-2003
The full reopening has been delayed until the summer, but the fences are down in front of the Ferry Building and it is possible to walk through it to the ferry landings. The Farmer's Market opened the next week.
Harbor Bay Ferry Down for Two Weeks - 06-Jan-2003
From a Red and White Fleet press release dated 31-Aug-2001:
Due to mechanical difficulties, the Harbor Bay Ferry will be out of service for two weeks; January 6th through January 17, 2003. We will know more about the situation next week, so please check back then.
Commuters may continue to use their ferry tickets for the bus bridge that will be available until the resumption of regular ferry service. Approximate transit time is 45 minutes from Harbor Bay Isle to the San Francisco Ferry Terminal (The bus will stop in front of the Amtrak Bus Depot in front of Gate E which is on the south side of the Ferry Building).
Harbor Bay Maritime will be collecting Ferry tickets from those using the bus-bridge.
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Historic Ferries for Sale (Update) - 31-Dec-2002
Historic ferries San Leandro and Fresno, moored in Richmond have been abandoned and will be auctioned for scrap. Fresno has sunk.
See Historic Ferries for Sale for more information.
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Storm Damage - 19-Dec-2002
A passenger on Golden Gate Ferry MV Sonoma was injured by a panel dislodged by a large wave during a large storm. Another boat had a bow window knocked out during a recent storm.
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Proposed Alameda/Oakland service cutbacks - 15-Nov-2002
The Alameda/Oakland ferry operator, Blue and Gold Fleet, proposed cutting weekend and holiday service during January and February 2003 because of low patronage.
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Historic Ferries for Sale - 31-Aug-2002
Arnold Gridley, founder of Cable Car Charters, owns historic ferries San Leandro and Fresno and has them moored in Richmond. Parties interested in purchasing either boat are invited to contact me with your name and phone number and I will pass them on to Ed Flynn. San Leandro was the last old boat to operate on the bay. There's only a hull remaining after fires. Ed reports that Fresno is largely intact, but not operable. She was restored to her SF appearance when she returned from Puget Sound after she retired in 1968. She was Willapa in Washington.
See Historic Ferries for Sale (Update) for more information.
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New Peralta - 07-Dec-2001
New Alameda/Oakland ferry Peralta went into service. She shares a name with the ill-starred Key System ferry.
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Day of Grief - 11-Sep-2001
Golden Gate and Harbor Bay ferries added extra mid-day service to help people who wanted to leave San Francisco after the dastardly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, NY and the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
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Ferries and the Potential BART Strike - 02-Sep-2001
If BART goes on strike this week, many people will look to ferries as alternative transportation.
Red and White Fleet will revive its Richmond/San Francisco service, which had stopped in November, 2000.
From a Red and White Fleet press release dated 31-Aug-2001:
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The Red & White Fleet announced today that in
the event of a BART strike they would run morning and afternoon
ferry service from the Richmond Ferry Terminal to the San Francisco
Ferry Building for the duration of the strike.
The morning commute run will depart from the Richmond Ferry Terminal
at 7:25a and arrive at the San Francisco Ferry Building at 8:15a.
The evening commute will leave the San Francisco Ferry Building at
5:35p and arrive at the Richmond Ferry Terminal at 6:25p.
Tickets may be purchased on the ferry boat or at the Red and White
Fleet ticket office, Pier 43 1/2, at the foot of Taylor Street in
Historic Fisherman's Wharf. Adult one-way tickets will be $6.00 and
round trip tickets will be sold for $10.00. Only cash will be
accepted for payment. On board amenities feature snacks, soft
drinks, beer and wine. For more information, please call (415)
673-2900 or visit http://www.redandwhite.com .
There is also ample parking spaces available for commuters at the
Richmond Ferry Terminal. San Francisco bus and cable car connections
are conveniently located near the San Francisco Ferry Terminal.
To reach the Richmond Ferry Terminal by auto, take I-580 to Harbour
Way South exit to the Ferry Terminal. Alternatively, AC Transit's
Route 74 stops at the intersection of Regatta Blvd and Marina Way
South approximately 3/4-mile from the Ferry Terminal.
From an Alameda/Oakland Ferry press release dated 31-Aug-2001:
In the event of a BART strike, expanded ferry service will be
provided beginning at 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 5. To provide
the best service possible we will be providing:
- Direct service between Oakland's Jack London Square and the new
San Francisco Ferry Building South Terminal. There will be 25 round
trips per day compared to the existing 15, and,
- Direct service between Alameda Main Street and the new San
Francisco Ferry Building South Terminal. There will be 23 round
trips per day compared to the existing 15 trips.
Giants Fans:
In the event of a BART strike, direct East Bay/Pac Bell Park service
scheduled for Wednesday, September 5, will be canceled. Fans are
encouraged to take our ferry service from the east bay to the San
Francisco Ferry Building. The stadium is approximately 1.5 miles
form the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero. Thank you for you
patience and understanding.
For complete BART strike schedule, parking, ticket and ferry
terminal location information, just click the link below. We look
forward to serving you.
From a Golden Gate Transit press release dated 31-Aug-2001:
In the event of a BART strike, East Bay commuters have several
choices to access San Francisco via the North Bay. Options include
riding Golden Gate Transit Bus Service, riding the Golden Gate Ferry
from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, or driving over the Golden Gate
Bridge.
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No Golden Gate Ferry Service on Christmas Day - 18-Dec-2000
According to a posting on the Bay Area Transit Information Project web site, Golden Gate Ferry (Larkspur and Sausalito) will not operate on Christmas Day.
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Richmond Ferry - RIP - 22-Nov-2000
The Red and White Fleet ended service on the San Francisco/Richmond ferry line. They couldn't get enough passengers to cover expenses. Service started on 29-Sep-1999.
See Today: Richmond/San Francisco and the bibliography for more details.
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