RIO VISTA, CA - Nearly a month after a new $4.3 million ferry was taken out of service, Caltrans is still working with the boat builder to determine why the vessel keeps breaking down.
The Real McCoy II was delivered early this year by Nichols Bros. of Freeland, Wash., to replace the original 1940's vintage Real McCoy, which carries Highway 84 traffic between Ryer Island and Rio Vista.
"There is something going on with the design. It's not working well for their application," said Paul Scott of Fluid Tech Hydraulics in Sacramento, which has spent months trying to keep the Real McCoy II running.
Scott said he and another mechanic have replaced three sets of 6,000 PSI hydraulic hoses in recent months. Scott said the hoses or fittings failed in each incident, leading to a loss of control.
A redundant propulsion system on the Real McCoy II prevented any safety problems, Scott said. The second system also allows the ferry to be operated in an emergency.
Caltrans spokesman Bob Haus said the agency has instructed Nichols Bros. to come up with an "action plan" to put the ferry back into service.
Haus also said the agency is committed to solving the hydraulic problem before the warranty expires at the beginning of next year.
"We do want these issues resolved under warranty," he said.
Although the manufacturer is paying for the warranty service, Caltrans continues to pick up the tab for an operator on board the ferry around the clock in case an emergency crossing is required.
Based on salary figures provided by Caltrans, the labor cost approaches $10,000 since the September 9 shutdown.
With the ferry idled, several hundred residents of Ryer Island have been forced to take a long detour to get to Rio Vista and the rest of Solano County.
What should be an 800-foot trip across Cache Slough takes travelers more than 23 miles out of their way.
Haus said Caltrans is seeking permission from the U.S. Coast Guard to run the ferry during peak travel times while it works on a final fix.
"We understand the residents are frustrated," Haus said. "We're frustrated too."
By George Warren, GWarren@news10.net
News10/KXTV