Posted at 7:55 p.m., Monday, September 24, 2007
TheBoat's disabled sister ferry won't operate tomorrow
By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer
The problem that forced the cancellation of today's inaugural cruise turned out to be a faulty master control unit in the port engine. A new part was ordered from North Carolina that may arrive tomorrow, city spokesman Bill Brennan said.
As for when the second ferry may begin operating, "It'll be day to day," Brennan said tonight.
The 72-foot catamaran named the Rachel Marie was supposed to join its sister ship, the Melissa Ann, this morning in offering O'ahu commuters 55-minute ferry rides between Kalaeloa and Aloha Tower's Pier 9.
But the Rachael Marie developed a problem with its engine's master control unit just before its inaugural trip today.
So about 35 passengers hoping to ride the vessel were offered rides into town aboard TheBus — or a wait for the next trip aboard the Melissa Ann.
Eighteen passengers took an express bus from Kalaeloa to Aloha Tower instead of the ferry.
"Some of them decided they would wait an hour to take the next" ferry, Brennan said.
Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.
