ALAMEDA, Calif. (KCBS) -- A new eco-friendly ferry made its debut on San Francisco Bay Friday.
Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, Metropolitan Transit Commission Chairman Bill Dodd and state Office of Homeland Security Director Michael Bettenhausen christened the new 149-passenger ferry called Gemini.
The ship will begin work on the Alameda/Oakland and Tiburon ferry line next month. It's being touted as the "most environmentally friendly ferry in the country" because it produces very low carbon emissions by using a blend of bio-diesel and ultra low sulfur diesel fuel.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports
Gemini also has low wake, low wash hulls, sonar to avoid hitting whales and floating debris, wireless Internet for commuters and room for 34 bicycles.
In the event of a natural disaster that would likely shut down Bay Area bridges, ferries like Gemini will be essential to transport emergency first responders to areas of need, Bettenhausen said.
The transportation authority is expecting to put three more ferries like "Gemini" into service in 2009, beginning with the arrival of "Pisces" in March.
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