{{Short description|500-passenger catamaran ferry}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox ship | display_title = ital |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Catalina Flyer.jpg | image_caption =The ''Catalina Flyer'', with the Catalina Casino in the background }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | name = ''Catalina Flyer'' (1988–present) | operator = Catalina Passenger Service | registry = Newport Beach, {{flag|US}} | route = Newport Beach, CA - Avalon, CA | ordered = | builder = Nichols Bros. Boat Builders<ref name=bridge>Dr Robert Latorre [http://www.ccdott.org/transfer/projresults/1997/CSU20/CSU20_2.pdf "Bridging the Fast Ferry to U.S Market"]{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, accessed March 12, 2012</ref> | original_cost = | yard_number = S-88 | way_number = | laid_down = | launched = 1988<ref name=bridge /> | completed = | christened = | acquired = | maiden_voyage = | in_service = | out_of_service = | identification = *{{MMSI Number|367001740}} *Callsign: WTD8887 | fate = | status = In service | notes = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = | tonnage = | displacement = | length = {{convert|36|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=bridge /> | beam = {{convert|12.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=bridge /> | height = | draught = {{convert|2.44|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=bridge /> | depth = | decks = | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | sail_plan = | power = 2x MTU 16v 4000 M64 1999kw | propulsion = Propellers | speed = {{convert|27|kn}}<ref name=bridge /> | capacity = 600 passengers | crew = 2 captains + 6 deckhands | notes = }} }} '''''Catalina Flyer''''' is a 350-passenger catamaran ferry operated by Catalina Passenger Service.
It has provided daily passenger service since 1988<ref name="lat88">{{cite news|title=Double Hulls Get Boat to Avalon in Half the Time|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 5, 1988|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-05-li-8318-story.html | first=Patrick | last=Mott}}</ref> from the Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, California to the city of Avalon located on Santa Catalina Island. Prior to 1988, the same run was served by the ''Island Holiday'' from the mid-1950s until 1978, and the ''Catalina Holiday'' from 1978 until 1988, both also operated by Catalina Passenger Service.<ref>{{citation|title=Catalina by Sea: A Transportation History|first=Jeannine L.|last=Pedersen|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2006|page=121|isbn=978-0-7385-3116-8}}.</ref>
The ''Catalina Flyer'' is the largest passenger-carrying catamaran on the West Coast of the United States<ref>{{citation|title=Zip over to Catalina Island for new adventures|journal=Desert Sun|date=March 25, 2010}}.</ref><ref name="upgrade"/> and at the time it was launched it was the largest in North America.<ref name="lat88"/> It carries an eight-person crew,<ref name="upgrade"/> and features a sundeck, full-service lounges and large view windows.
thumb|Catalina Flyer passengers coming ashore at Catalina Islaland.
The ''Catalina Flyer'' makes one round trip daily,<ref name="upgrade"/> leaving Newport Beach for Avalon in the morning and returning from Avalon to Newport Beach in the early evening. It takes approximately 75 minutes for a one way trip. In addition to regular passenger service, the vessel is also available for private charter.
In the fall and winter of 2010–2011, the Flyer's service was temporarily suspended, in order to upgrade the ship's engines to meet the environmental requirements of California's Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation.<ref name="upgrade">{{citation|title=Catalina Flyer suspends service for upgrade: Catamaran will resume daily runs to Avalon in February|journal=Los Angeles Times|date=September 7, 2010|page=AA5|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-catalina-flyer-20100907,0,7296356.story|first=Tom|last=Ragan}}.</ref>
From October 2022 to November 2023, the Catalina Flyer underwent an extensive refit at Nichols Brother Boat Builders (the original builder of the vessel). The engines were upgraded to MTU 16v4000 m64 EPA tier 3 units. The interior cabin was fitted with USA built seats made by UES seating. And the hull and structure was extensively refurbished.
thumb|The Catalina Flyer
==See also== *Catalina Express, a different ferry service to Catalina from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.catalinainfo.com Catalina Flyer's website]
{{Coord|33|20|40|N|118|19|19|W|region:US-CA_type:event|display=title}}
{{Newport Beach, California}}
Category:Individual catamarans Category:Ferries of California Category:Newport Beach, California Category:Channel Islands of California Category:Transportation in Orange County, California Category:Transportation in Los Angeles County, California Category:1988 ships