Bad engine on TheBoat forces city to nix 4 rides
The city canceled four morning and afternoon rides on TheBoat today and next week due to engine trouble on the Rachel Marie, one of its two commuter ferries hampered with problems and delays in the past.
The 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. rides from Kalaeloa to Aloha Tower and the 7:05 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. rides in the opposite direction have been canceled because one of the two engines on the Rachel Marie has mechanical difficulties.
Riders on the 6 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. sails can catch the F-shuttle bus directly to their destination. However, commuters on the other times that go in the opposite way of rush hour traffic can call TheBus at 848-5555 for other routes.
Mechanics inspected the engine yesterday and found a damaged crankshaft, according to city spokesman Bill Brennan. Crews will be working with the contractor on the mainland to determine the necessary repairs and replacement parts.
Darin Mar, TheBoat's project manager, and city Transportation Director Melvin Kaku did not return several calls yesterday seeking more information on the engine problems and possible repair costs.
Several rides on the Rachel Marie, which is the older of the two boats, have been canceled in the past. The Rachel Marie missed the first week of TheBoat's launching on Sept. 17 because of pending Coast Guard certification after arriving from the mainland a week later than the Melissa Ann.
The following week, on Sept. 24 and 25, crew members docked the Rachel Marie after hearing sputtering noises from the engine. An engine part had to be flown in from North Carolina to fix one of the two engines on the Rachel Marie.