"Pretty rough' trip to sea

Bay Area ferry, the Del Norte, stops to refuel

Second mate Dave Mayden, left, and captain Mike Bennett, check the Del Norte’s anchor mechanism after arriving here. (The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson)

A San Francisco ferry pulled into Crescent City’s harbor Friday, and it wasn’t by mistake.

The 135-foot catamaran normally  travels across San Francisco Bay between Larkspur and the city. Appropriately named Del Norte, it  stopped for refueling in Crescent City on its way to Seattle for new engines.

“We expect the trip to take three more days,” said captain Mike Bennett, whose company was contracted to deliver the ferry.

Bennett said he was hoping to avoid a storm that is scheduled to hit Sunday, adding, “she’s not designed for open ocean or rough water.”

Second mate Dave Mayden said the trip had already been “pretty rough.”

The ferry is only functioning on two out of its four engines, so the going is slow.

“We’re probably averaging about 15 knots or so,” Mayden said. “This is definitely not a pleasure cruise.”

Despite being a large craft with plenty of space inside, the Del Norte isn’t designed for sleep-overs. Members of the delivery crew brought along air mattresses.

Added to the lack of creature comforts is the design of the ferry itself.

A catamaran is a boat with two attached hulls. The majority of ferries that ply flat waters employ the design.

It looks more like a spaceship than a boat.

It’s called Del Norte, but the ferry usually plies the waters of the Bay Area. (The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson)

According to Bennett, the reason that so many ferries are catamarans is that, while they aren’t as seaworthy as mono-hull vessels, they are faster, more stable and have larger carrying capacities.

Launched in 1998, the Del Norte was built in Seattle and carries up to 325 passengers between Larkspur and San Francisco at 36 knots per hour, about 40 mph.

In a way, this was a return trip for the vessel.

The ferry was actually christened, after the state of California bought it  and renamed it the Del Norte, at a party in Crescent City’s harbor.

Mayden thought that it was fitting that the ferry returned to the harbor to refuel on its way north.

“We’re taking on 3,000 gallons of fuel,” Bennett said. “I wish it would hold more.”

According to Bennett, the trip takes approximately 8,000 gallons of fuel one-way.

Harbor Commissioner Scott Feller wasn’t unhappy about the Del Norte’s limited fuel capacity.

“This is great for the local economy,” Feller said while admiring the Del Norte’s unusual lines. “Anytime we can get boats into the harbor it’s a good thing.”

Bennett said the Del Norte was headed to Seattle for repairs because there are more boatyards up there.

“We’ll be back through on the way down,” Bennett said referring to another delivery his company has been contracted for in the next couple weeks. “This harbor is pretty much in the right spot for getting fuel.”

Crew members prepare to refuel. (The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson)