By Guy Span, S.D.

The Alameda-Oakland Ferry Service problems continue, with a splendid run of bad luck. First, the Encinal, the backup boat, blew a Detroit Diesel engine just 37 hours into its return to service from an extensive rebuild. It was a spectacular failure, blowing a rod through both sides of the block. Interestingly enough, this failure is identical to the failure of Harbor Bay’s Bay Breeze, which suffered the same fate last year after only 47 hours of service. Thus, Andy Anderson of the City of Alameda negotiated a full warranty, including removal and replacement, which is not normally covered.

This accident came at a particularly bad time, as the main vessel Peralta (like its ill-starred namesake) suffered its own bad luck and is being sent back to the builders, to get a brand new hull with the proper corrosion resistant plates. The problem with the present hull is not the fault of the builder, Nichols Brothers of Seattle, but rather the fault of its aluminum supplier, Alcan and Alcoa.

In any event, the Peralta had to leave town and the Encinal blew up. This left the ferry service with no main vessel, although Harbor Bay had a spare, as a result of the return to service of the worst-named vessel in the known universe, The Harbor Bay Express II Alameda. But the decision to rent a spare vessel was made by representatives of the aluminum industry, Nichols and the Alameda-Oakland Ferry, with Alcoa footing the bill. As a result, they chose to rent an idled vessel, the Klondike Express (built by Nichols in 1999). This high-speed catamaran is almost as quick as the Peralta and although there were some teething pains in its first week of service (solid slow bells on the Estuary), she is expected to perform well. This vessel was available because she provides glacier tours out of Wittier, Alaska and in the winter is normally laid up.

Inside, this vessel has an all-table interior. That is, there are few seats without a table on both interior decks. Kitschy illuminated plastic totem-pole heads decorate the bar area. Dancing saloon gals of the gay ’90s adorn the rear entrance. Oddly enough, the second deck has an outside area completely devoid of seats (apparently no one in Alaska would stay outside long enough to sit down). There are four entrances, but all use a loading system that pre-dates Noah’s Ark (one by one).

The Alameda-Oakland Ferry service will likely use the Klondike Express until sometime in February, when the Peralta is due back from Seattle. Whether or not the Peralta is ready, the Klondike must be returned contractually by March 3 and there is no estimate just yet for the return of the Encinal.