New Ferry For One Of Alameda/ Oakland–San Francisco Routes
It’s more environmentally-friendly, and has Wi-Fi:
November 26, 2008 … The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) is celebrating the arrival of its first vessel yesterday. Called Gemini, the 149 passenger vessel will be put into use daily on one of the two existing Alameda/ Oakland – San Francisco ferry routes. The arrival of Gemini also begins to fulfill WETA’s expanded emergency response role, as Gemini will be available as a spare vessel in case of temporary disruption of transit service or damage to the Bay area highways and bridges.
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Mary Frances Culnane, WETA’s marine engineering manager, commented that “local support for ferries allowed WETA to push the technology envelope. The result is a vessel that is the most environmentally responsible ferryboat ever built. She surpassed WETA’s emission mandate of 85 percent better than EPA emission standards for Tier II (2007) marine engines.†Other innovative measures to protect the Bay and marine life include low-wake, low-wash hulls, solar panels, a propulsion system that operates on a blend of biodiesel and ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, and forward-searching sonar for avoiding whale strikes. Gemini also includes space for 34 bicycles and Wi-Fi Internet service.
I didn’t know about the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA). I really don’t know how they fit into the ferry scene. How do they work with, or overrule, Golden Gate Ferry?
The red color - if that’s what the color of the new ferry actually is - is ugly - in my opinion.
But ferry is kind of an awesome way to travel. The Bike+Ferry combination? Superb. Bike+Ferry+Beer (bought on board, of course)? Priceless.
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