Bay Breeze News

SF Bay Ferry says that its passenger loads increased significantly in 2013 and continue to increase in 2014. The refurbished 250 passenger Bay Breeze will bring needed additional carrying capacity to San Francisco Bay Ferry’s Harbor Bay/San Francisco service thereby relieving occasional overcrowding. New control and navigation systems will reduce maintenance costs and increase vessel’s service life. Improved passenger seating, along with restroom, and snack bar renovations will enhance the already enjoyable Bay crossing. Onboard bicycle capacity increased to 32 bikes. ADA accessible restroom and wheelchair tie-downs. Improved WiFi service. Flat panel monitors for real-time vessel location display and safety announcements. Pull down trays on selected seats.

In 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson was President; the Beatles first appeared on the Billboard Chart with I Want to Hold Your Hand; the World's Fair opened in New York and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry made its grand debut. On July 1, 1964, the very first ferry vessel departed the Lewes, Delaware terminal at 6:47 a.m. The ferry carried eight vehicles and 15 passengers. Since then, more than 43 million passengers and over 14 million vehicles have made the scenic, 17- mile, 85-minute trip across Delaware Bay to and from Victorian Cape May, NJ and historic Lewes, Delaware.

The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) and the City of Alameda today announced that starting June 8, Alameda Harbor Bay ferry riders will be treated to a daily ferry commute onboard Pisces, the Bay Area’s newest ferry. Pisces’ interior design responds to Bay Area commuters' desire for convenience and comfort. The ferry has several seating options to maximize passenger comfort, plus room for 34 bicycles, 20% more capacity than similar sized ferries on the Bay. Pisces will initially be used on the afternoon Harbor Bay ferry service to San Francisco, sharing service with the Bay Breeze--the existing primary vessel for Harbor Bay.

Another Nichols Brothers catamaran joined the commuter fleet on San Francisco Bay in November. Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Inc., of Whidbey Island, Wash., delivered a Cummins-powered, 112-ft. vessel for service between Alameda, Oakland, and San Francisco. The 315-passenger catamaran, M/V Peralta, will be operated by the Alameda/Oakland Ferry Service, with the Blue and Gold Fleet providing maintenance and engineering services. As with the 27 other catamarans built by Nichols Brothers, the vessel was designed by International Catamaran Designs of Sydney, Australia. Commuter route for the Peralta includes the ports of Alameda and Oakland and the ferry landing on the Embarcadero in San Francisco.