Golden Gate Ferry announced in May that it is the recipient of a $2.2 million federal grant that will be used to upgrade two vessels in the ferry fleet.
Photo by Joel Williams
BC Staff Report
Published: June, 2016
Golden Gate Ferry announced in May that it is the recipient of a $2.2 million federal grant that will be used to upgrade two vessels in the ferry fleet. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the discretionary grant through its competitive FY 15/16 Passenger Ferry Grant Program.
“In order to improve operations and comply with current accessibility standards, Golden Gate Ferry will upgrade our ferries and landing facilities,” said Golden Gate Ferry Deputy General Manager Jim Swindler. “The grant provides much-needed money to modify the M.S. Marin and M.V. Napa so they integrate well with the upgraded landing facilities. The ferry boat renovation work will be completed over the coming years.”
Golden Gate Ferry’s Ramps and Gangways Program began in 2009 to revitalize aging vessels and terminals. The Larkspur Ferry Terminal, San Francisco Ferry Terminal and Sausalito Ferry Terminal passenger boarding facilities are over 40 years old and in need of repair and rehabilitation. Golden Gate is planning to replace the existing boarding facilities with new passenger boarding systems that will provide more efficient and comfortable loading and disembarking of the vessels for commuters, bicyclists and passengers who may have limited mobility. The new passenger boarding systems will include new ramps, floats and other terminal improvements, all of which will follow applicable Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, as well as the United States Access Board’s Passenger Vessel Accessibility Guidelines.
The District has seven ferry vessels in service: three Spaulding class vessels, and four high-speed catamaran type vessels. The new boarding system will standardize loading and unloading of vessels through two doorways on the main deck, which will greatly increase the efficiency of these operations.
Access to the ferries will be provided by a hydraulically driven gangplank that telescopes out to and is supported on the vessel, to increase efficiency of main deck loading on the new floats. All Golden Gate vessels must be modified to establish two standard doorways at the main deck and supports for the new standard gangplanks extending from the new boarding floats.
