Catalina Flyer facts for kids
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|} The Catalina Flyer is a special kind of boat called a catamaran. It's a ferry that can carry up to 500 passengers. This boat has been taking people on fun trips since 1988.
It travels daily from Newport Beach, California to the beautiful city of Avalon. Avalon is located on Santa Catalina Island. The Catalina Flyer is operated by a company called Catalina Passenger Service.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Catalina Flyer (1988–present) |
| Operator | Catalina Passenger Service |
| Port of registry | Newport Beach,  US |
| Route | Newport Beach, CA - Avalon, CA |
| Builder | Nichols Bros. Boat Builders |
| Launched | 1988 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 36 m (118 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 12.2 m (40 ft 0 in) |
| Draught | 2.44 m (8 ft 0 in) |
| Installed power | 2 × Caterpillar 3516 TA diesel engines |
| Speed | 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) |
| Capacity | 500 passengers |
About the Catalina Flyer
What is a Catamaran?
A catamaran is a boat with two hulls, or main bodies, instead of just one. This design makes catamarans very stable and fast. The Catalina Flyer uses this design to give passengers a smooth ride.
A Big Boat for the West Coast
The Catalina Flyer is the largest passenger catamaran on the West Coast of the United States. When it was first launched, it was the biggest in all of North America! It's a truly impressive vessel.
Onboard Features
This ferry has many features to make your trip comfortable. It has a sundeck where you can enjoy the sun and ocean breeze. There are also full-service lounges and large windows. These windows let you enjoy amazing views during your journey. The boat operates with a crew of eight people.
The Journey to Catalina Island
Daily Schedule
The Catalina Flyer makes one round trip every day. It leaves Newport Beach in the morning. Then, it returns from Avalon to Newport Beach in the early evening.
How Long Does the Trip Take?
A one-way trip on the Catalina Flyer takes about 75 minutes. That's just over an hour to get to the island paradise! Besides regular trips, you can also rent the boat for private events.
Engine Upgrades for a Cleaner Environment
In 2010 and 2011, the Catalina Flyer had its service paused for a short time. This was to upgrade its engines. The upgrades helped the ship meet new environmental rules in California. These rules help keep the air and water clean.
Images for kids
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Catalina Flyer passengers coming ashore at Catalina Islaland.
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The Catalina Flyer
