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Local Businessman Invests in Marina Del Rey-Catalina Ferry After Wife Misses Last San Pedro Ferry

Posted on: Tuesday, 9 June 2009, 07:04 CDT

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles traffic through the I-405 corridor is legendary, with no relief in sight. Ron Hoffman, an avid sailor living near Marina Del Rey, often took his boat to Catalina early to secure a good weekend mooring, then waited for his wife to arrive after work on Friday. On one too many occasions, Hoffman's wife called, saying she'd missed the last San Pedro or Long Beach ferry, stuck in the notorious I-405 traffic. With his wife on the mainland without a ride, Hoffman spent many a Friday night alone at Catalina. Out of frustration came opportunity.

"Research told us," comments Hoffman, "that a third of Catalina visitors, mostly Westside and San Fernando Valley residents, plus LA visitors staying near LAX, found the drive to San Pedro or Long Beach ferries excessively time consuming and frustrating. Yet it is their only option." The Hoffmans decided to take matters into their own hands. "We saw a better way, and invested in a Marina Del Rey-based ferry service. After their investment, Hoffman also accepted the CEO position at Catalina-Marina Del Rey Flyer (http://www.CatalinaFerries.com) during its startup years.

After leasing ferries for three years, they decided to commission a passenger ferry specifically built to handle the Catalina channel smoothly. Hoffman comments, "The new vessel, Marina Flyer, is the first of its kind, constructed of light but strong aerospace materials. This stable, new hydrofoil-assisted catamaran is fast, efficiently powered by waterjets."

Designed to store luggage on the main deck, rather than the hold, Marina Flyer's passengers carry their luggage right onto and off the boat. As a result, Catalina visitors can begin their precious vacation up to an hour quicker than competing services using conveyor unloading. Hoffman proudly remarked, "We can usually get a boat loaded or unloaded in less than ten minutes." Bikers and kayakers are delighted they can bring both aboard the Catalina Ferries for a minimal charge. The friendly crew assists on and off-loading recreation gear as well as luggage.

Many school, youth YMCA and scout groups frequent Catalina camps year-round. Year after year, anxious parents worry whether their children arrived safely at Catalina, or exact time of their Marina Del Rey return. Nonexistent cell service, at sea and on the island, frequently left their questions unanswered. Families need worry no more. Today they can check the ferry's real time location with live GPS locators from computers or web-enabled phones. http://www.CatalinaFerries.com/GPSBoatTracking.html

Beginning mid-June, a Two Harbors "day trip" will be available most days. Taking this 4-6 hour roundtrip excursion allows those spending a few days in Avalon the perfect opportunity for lunch and fun at "the other Catalina." Just 11 beautiful miles from Avalon, Two Harbors is perfect for hiking, swimming, kayaking, diving, boating, beach BBQ's, even dancing to a live band or DJ. Don't miss tasting their "world-famous" Buffalo Milk cocktail!

The Catalina-Marina Del Rey Flyer now offers this stress-reducing alternative to the Westside and the Valley, and can eliminate the call, "Honey, I missed the ferry. I'm stuck on the 405 again!" Departing from Marina Del Rey spends an extra fifteen minutes on the water, but saves Westside Catalina visitors hassle, headaches and gridlock!

CATALINA-MARINA DEL REY FLYER 13737 Fiji Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Reservations: 310-305-7250 Information: info@catalinaferries.com http://www.CatalinaFerries.com For More Information: Contact: Cody Lassen, cody@catalinaferries.com Director of Marketing 310-305-7250 Tom Brady, tbrady@dgrp.com The Destination Group 626-355-3471

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Catalina Ferries

Source: PR Newswire

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