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was unmistakable for Red and White Fleet crew on land, from generators in the engine room were also at risk of setting OPPOSITE, top to bottom: the crisis was over, Phillips stayed on to work for the Red and
those currently under sail on Bay Cruises were less sure of off a blaze. Traffic jams the Embarcadero in the White Fleet, and for close to thirty years has been one of the
what had happened. Because the tour boats are large, stable Over the course of the evening, it wasn’t just captains and aftermath of the 1989 earthquake. company’s Senior IBU Captains.
vessels, earthquakes are hard to feel from on board. Longtime crew from the Inlandboatmen’s Union (IBU) who assisted With so much of the Bay Area’s Whether in the office, on the docks, or sailing on the Bay,
infrastructure disrupted or shut down
captain Chuck Hodge, who worked with the Red and White with the emergency effort. Red and White Fleet office workers in the wake of the earthquake— all Red and White Fleet employees heeded Horgan’s call to
Fleet from 1973 to 2010, was working the 5 p.m. Bay Cruise did their part as well, making their way to the Ferry Building including the Bay Bridge—thousands action. In an era before ubiquitous cell phones, most of the
that evening and could not feel the quake from on deck. to assist with loading the boats and helping to make sure that of commuters were stuck in San captains and crew did all of this without being able to call
Instead, the first sign that something was wrong came from no boat exceeded its Coast Guard–approved safety capacity Francisco. In the midst of the crisis, their own families or find out if loved ones were safe. Instead
what he described as a quavering voice coming in over the during the long night ahead. Red and White Fleet played an they took care of others’ loved ones, making sure thousands
indispensable role ferrying stranded
ship’s radio, saying, “All maritime boats be aware that we’ve The Red and White Fleet offered these emergency people from the Ferry Building of individuals got home safely in the first few hours after the
just had an earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Area.” A passenger services not only during the night of the quake, but to other parts of the Bay for days quake. Estrada recalled, “I felt very proud of what we were
few moments later, Hodge could see smoke rising from the for the next several days as well, completely free of charge. following the earthquake. • The doing. I was immersed in it . . . It was wonderful to feel part
Berkeley Hills. Of those first few days of trips, Estrada recalls, “All we were quake caused power outages for an of a relief effort like that.”
As more information became available, another call seeing with every trip was the best of people. The extremes estimated 1.4 million people around The Loma Prieta earthquake was the rebirth of the San
came over the radio, this time from Dispatcher Horgan were amplified. I was really proud of the Red and White Fleet’s the Bay Area, including much of San Francisco–Oakland ferry service that is still in operation
Francisco. The Red and White Fleet
with instructions to turn the vessel around and head back part of that, not only that they were able to provide immediate used floodlights to allow them to today. Until the quake—and the subsequent damage to the
to the dock. As the vessel started to get closer to shore, relief effort, but that they did it for several days.” continue ferrying people back to their Bay Bridge—the city had not allowed a ferry to operate
Hodge recalled, “The most shocking thing was the smell The effects of the quake on company personnel were homes throughout the night. between those two ports. However, as soon as the bridge
of natural gas. I mean, it was like something you wouldn’t far-reaching. Captain Rod Phillips was working in Southern sustained damage and closed, that mandate was rescinded,
believe.” This was particularly worrisome because in those California for another branch of Crowley Maritime the night clearing the way for ferry services to resume. While the Red
days smoking was still legal for passengers onboard the Red of the quake, but received an urgent message to begin sailing and White Fleet does not still run vessels on this line, they
and White Fleet’s tours. Thinking quickly, Hodge made an a vessel up the coast to provide additional passenger service. were a critical part of the first few weeks of its operation,
announcement as the ship sailed back to port, asking that all “I heard there had been an earthquake in San Francisco, and showing how maritime transport could satisfy a vital need
guests refrain from smoking. I had a feeling I would be called. Sure enough, an hour later I for San Francisco’s many commuters—and illustrating their
As soon as the passengers were unloaded, the ship made got a call asking if I would help bring a boat up.” Twenty-seven enduring commitment to community. Eighty-three years after
its way to the San Francisco Ferry Building to begin helping hours later, both he and the boat arrived in the Bay and began Tom Crowley devoted his time and company resources to
with the relief effort. Only one of the docks at the ferry providing ferry service between San Francisco and the Port aiding the citizens of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake,
building was able to accommodate the Red and White Fleet’s of Oakland. “The Oakland Bridge collapsed, and because the the Red and White Fleet demonstrated the same dedication to
boats, so the fleet took turns loading passengers one boat at a bridge broke [negating a city contract that prevented ferry the residents they serve and the city they call home.
time. The smell of gas was still pervasive around the city, and service along the same route], there was a way to start a ferry
lit cigarettes were not the only potential fire hazard. Sparks service, so they started the Oakland Ferry immediately.” When

52 • Red and White Fleet Milestones • 53