Story
This ferry, passenger & vehicle was built in 1970 by Blount Marine in Warren, RI.
Historical Notes
George Schneider (Feb 2026) writes: This ship was an experimental vessel, designed for making 2.5 hour runs between Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands with autos, trucks, and passengers.
She didn't last long in that trade, and was purchased for conversion into an all-passenger boat for what proved to be a 3-hour run between Los Angeles and Catalina Island alongside the steamer SS CATALINA. On 9 April 1975 while shut down for the night alongside her pier in Los Angeles a bomb inside her exploded and she sank. Raised, she was idle until purchased by Crowley Maritime for use in San Francisco Bay. After several years they did a major rebuild of her and she sailed on sightseeing runs for several decades. Time took its toll on her, she was idled, her documents expired in 2023, and as of January 2026 her owners were looking for a way to dispose of her.
Owners & Masters
In 1970 -72 she was owned by the Carib Star Line Inc., Charlotte Amalie VI USA.
In 1973-1974 she was owned by Starcrest Inc, Charlotte Amalie VI USA.
In 1975-1977 she was owned by Starcrest Inc, Los Angeles CA USA.
In 1979-1989 she was owned by Harbor Tug & Barge Co, San Francisco CA USA.
In 1994 she was owned by Red and White Fleet Inc, San Francisco CA USA.
In 1998-2026 she was owned by Blue & Gold Fleet LP, San Francisco CA USA
Rebuilds
1974 reconfigured into a purely passenger ferry. 1978 internals and major sections of hull and machinery spaces reconstructed.
Repower
In 1978 reconfigured as conventional twin screw with Caterpillar 3412 Diesel engines providing 1040 total HP
References
- Merchant Vessels of the United States Vol. 2 (1971-1989) and digital records (1992-2026)
- Maritime Reporter Magazine 15 April 1970 page 18, recollections of George Schneider who ran her on the Catalina run and has kept notes on her ever since.
