Alcatraz Island News

Hornblower's Alcatraz City Cruises has selected Corvus Energy to supply the battery system for the Hornblower Hybrid NY passenger ferry.San Francisco based Alcatraz City Cruises was the first to introduce hybrid-powered passenger ferry service in the United States. Two vessels, the Alcatraz Flyer and the Alcatraz Clipper, currently offer transit to Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. Completing multiple rounds per day, the operation carries thousands of passengers daily and nearly 1.7 million total annually powered by electric propulsion.

Terry MacRae founded Hornblower Yachts, LLC (doing business as Hornblower Cruises & Events) in 1980, and serves as Chief Executive Officer, the President and is also its owner. MacRae is the Co-founder of HMS Global Maritime and the American Queen Steamboat Company, and serves as Chief Executive Officer of Alcatraz Cruises, LLC, Statue Cruises, LLC, Hornblower Canada Co., Hornblower Cable Cars, Inc. and HNY Ferry, LLC (doing business as NYC Ferry). He leads one of the largest and fastest growing charter, dining cruise, and ferry operating companies in the nation.

Coast Guard members and local agencies responded to a fishing vessel taking on water with two people aboard west of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay Wednesday afternoon. At 1:28 p.m., Coast Guard Station Golden Gate watchstanders received a VHF-FM radio transmission on channel 16 from a person aboard a 49-foot fishing vessel taking on water. Two rescue boatcrews were launched from Station Golden Gate, and marine units were dispatched from San Francisco Fire, Tiburon Fire and Richmond Fire departments. Personnel from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers vessel, Racoon, also responded. “The rapid response by multiple agencies ensured help was on scene within minutes,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Whitlow, boatswain’s mate at Station Golden Gate.

After graduating from the California Maritime Academy with a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation, Scott began a sea-going career with Chevron Shipping. He continued with Chevron in various at-sea positions until July of this year when he joined Hornblower Cruises & Events. In his new position, Scott will work on a number of special projects ranging from feasibility studies, energy and cost savings, risk management, regulatory concerns, procurement projects, business process improvement, SAFECRUISE efforts and Respect our Planet Programs. Hornblower Cruises & Events has been a leading charter yacht and public dining cruise company in California for over 33 years.

The Coast Guard is investigating a vessel allision with the San Francisco Bay Bridge. The 752-foot Marshall Island's-registered tanker Overseas Reymar reported to the Coast Guard at approximately 11:20 a.m. that it had allided with tower six of the Bay Bridge in the San Francisco Bay. The vessel was immediately directed to an anchorage area just west of Alcatraz Island by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port. The vessel was in ballast at the time of the incident. There were no reports of injuries and no reports of pollution.

The Coast Guard is investigating the incident where the tankshilp reported to the USCG it had allided with Tower Six of the bridge. The 752-foot Marshall Island’s-registered tanker Overseas Reymar reported to the Coast Guard at approximately 11:20 a.m. that it had allided with tower six of the Bay Bridge in the San Francisco Bay. The vessel was immediately directed to an anchorage area just west of Alcatraz Island by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port. The vessel was in ballast at the time of the incident. There were no reports of injuries and no reports of pollution.

Alcatraz Cruises, the National Park Service concessioner of ferry service to Alcatraz Island, has been awarded the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award in the category of Best Low Carbon Transport and Technology. Award winners were announced November 11 at the World Travel Market conference in London. Alcatraz Cruises was a finalist alongside the British website Seat61.com and the Swiss Railway company Swiss Travel System. Only one other US company was honored – Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. For more information on the other winners visit the Responsible Tourism Awards website (www.responsibletoursimawards.com). “Alcatraz Cruises has worked diligently to align all our operations with the best sustainable business models.

With the signing of a new 10-year contract between the National Park Service and Hornblower Cruises and Events, two hybrid-electric ferries will eventually be crossing to the famed former penitentiary Alcatraz Island from San Francisco, San Jose Mercury News reported. Alcatraz Cruises, a division of Hornblower Cruises and Events, will take over the route, now handled by Blue and Gold Fleet, on Sept. 25, the National Park Service recently announced. The new boats will comply with emission requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Hornblower Cruises and Events has agreed to build the first ferry within two years and the second vessel within five years.

The U.S. Coast Guard was investigating a possible gasoline spill in the San Francisco Bay between Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge that left a slick that stretched for several miles along the waterfront, according to a Bay Insider report. The Coast Guard was trying to track the spill to any vessels in the area. There was not much of the product in the water since it was declared unrecoverable. The spill was reported around 9 a.m. Source: Bay Insider